Locals warned not to approach the Monkey as it swings through Gardens in Scottish Village.

A Japanese macaque is on the loose in a Scottish village after escaping from the Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig, near Aviemore. The monkey was reported swinging through gardens, shaking nuts from bird feeders, and clinging to garden fences. Videos capturing the monkey’s antics have been shared on social media.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which operates the Highland Wildlife Park, has launched a major hunt to locate and secure the escaped Japanese macaque. Staff from the park have visited several homes in the village, but the monkey managed to evade capture before a ranger could arrive.

Residents are urged not to approach the monkey if spotted and are advised to contact the RZSS directly at [email protected] with any information. The society plans to deploy a team to secure the monkey safely and swiftly.

The Highland Wildlife Park is home to a significant population of Japanese macaques as part of the European Endangered Species Programme. Also known as snow monkeys, macaques live in large social groups called troops.

Darren McGarry, the individual in charge of the animals at RZSS, confirmed the escape, stating, “We can confirm one of our Japanese macaques escaped from its enclosure this morning. Our charity has set up a team who are working to secure the monkey safely and as quickly as possible.”

He emphasized the importance of public safety, advising, “If members of the public encounter the macaque, they should contact [email protected] with more information and do not approach it.”

As the search intensifies, the incident has generated widespread attention on social media, with concerns for both the safety of the monkey and the community. The escape highlights the challenges faced by wildlife parks in ensuring the containment and security of their animals.