Scottish monkey escape – live: Woman’s leftover Yorkshire pudding lures on-the-run Kinguissie Kong to capture

A woman inadvertently helped capture a missing Japanese macaque, nicknamed Kingussie Kong, by leaving leftover Yorkshire pudding in her garden.

Shocked Stephanie Banyan came downstairs in her home on Thursday morning to find the monkey staring through the window at her.

She later revealed that it was the roast dinner favourite which she left outside that had tempted to primate which escaped from Highland Wildlife Park near Inverness on Sunday.

“We get the pheasants in the garden, we’ve had all sorts of wildlife in the garden but never a macaque,” she told Channel 5 news.

The monkey led the authorities on a merry dance for nearly a week – but is now finally back at the wildlife park.

Staff at the park, run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), had urged the public not to approach the primate and said zookeepers were searching for the animal.

Key points

• Zookeepers searching village for monkey

• Monkey could have been running from fight, zookeeper says

Monkey escapes Scottish zoo

Monday 29 January 2024 10:17 , Alexander Butler

A monkey is on the loose after escaping from a wildlife park in the Scottish Highlands.

The Japanese macaque found a way out of its enclosure at Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie on Sunday morning.

The slippery simian, nicknamed Kingussie Kong, has been spotted nicking nuts from neighbour’s bird feeders before giving zookeepers the runabout around the neighbourhood.

Monkey hunt as macaque goes on the run after escaping from wildlife park

Zookeepers searching village for monkey

Monday 29 January 2024 10:45 , Alexander Butler

A team of zookeepers are patrolling Kingussie, Inverness, to capture and return the escaped monkey the Highland Wildlife Park.

Darren McGarry, head of living collections at Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said: “A team of our charity’s expert keepers are patrolling the village today in order to locate and return the macaque that escaped yesterday.

“Although we don’t expect the monkey to be a threat to the public or pet animals, he should not be approached. We are doing everything we can to locate the macaque and are in talks with a drone company to help in this process.

“Locals are being encouraged to bring in any food that is kept outside, such as food waste bins and bird feeders to encourage the monkey to return to the park once he is hungry.”

What is a Japanese macaque?

Monday 29 January 2024 11:30 , Alexander Butler

Japanese macaques, also called Japanese snow macaques or simply snow monkeys, are found on three of the four main Japanese islands—Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu—and live further north than any other macaque species, according to the New England primate conservancy.

They have human-like naked faces and expressive eyes. They have cheek pouches for food storage. In adulthood, their faces and bottoms become red.

All macaques have opposable thumbs that they use to manipulate objects. They use all four limbs to get around (quadrupedal movement), but also walk just on their hind legs (bipedal) when holding something in both hands.

Mapped: Where was the monkey last seen?

Monday 29 January 2024 12:00 , Mandip Ahdan

Same breed of monkey escaped in 2008

Monday 29 January 2024 12:30 , Alexander Butler

The same breed of monkey escaped from the same zoo 16 years ago but was recaptured within one hour, according to reports.

The Japanese animal fled Highland Wildlife Park in 2008. Three of the animals died there earlier that year. One monkey was killed by a rival in February. A second had to be put down and a third drowned.

Are Japanese Macaque monkeys dangerous?

Monday 29 January 2024 13:08 , Jabed Ahmed

Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, are not usually dangerous to humans.

However, in 2022, a gang of snow monkeys terrorised residents of a Japanese city for weeks. The macaques injured almost 50 people in Yamaguchi.

Snow monkeys are common across Japan and in some areas are considered a pest, eating crops and sometimes entering homes.

Watch: Monkey hunt as macaque goes on run after escaping from wildlife park

Monday 29 January 2024 13:30 , Alexander Butler

Monkey could have been running from fight, zookeeper says

Monday 29 January 2024 13:50 , Alexander Butler

The monkey which escaped from a Scottish zoo might have been running from a fight during breeding season, a zookeeper said.

Keith Gilchrist, of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said high tensions among primates could have caused the animal to flee.

“It’s a very dynamic group of animals with quite a strong hierarchy. This time of year is breeding season so tensions run a little bit high and some times fights break out over breeding rights,” Mr Gilchrist told the BBC.

“When that happens the animals’ adrenaline can some times over-ride everything and rather than get into a fight it seems this one has just gone for it and got past the enclosure perimeter fence.”

What is a Japanese macaque?

Monday 29 January 2024 15:27 , Alexander Butler

Japanese macaques, also called Japanese snow macaques or simply snow monkeys, are found on three of the four main Japanese islands—Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu—and live further north than any other macaque species, according to the New England primate conservancy.

They have human-like naked faces and expressive eyes. They have cheek pouches for food storage. In adulthood, their faces and bottoms become red.

All macaques have opposable thumbs that they use to manipulate objects. They use all four limbs to get around (quadrupedal movement), but also walk just on their hind legs (bipedal) when holding something in both hands.

Are Japanese Macaque monkeys dangerous?

Monday 29 January 2024 16:30 , Jabed Ahmed

Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, are not usually dangerous to humans.

However, in 2022, a gang of snow monkeys terrorised residents of a Japanese city for weeks. The macaques injured almost 50 people in Yamaguchi.

Snow monkeys are common across Japan and in some areas are considered a pest, eating crops and sometimes entering homes.

Watch: Monkey hunt as macaque goes on run after escaping from wildlife park

Monday 29 January 2024 17:30 , Alexander Butler

Drones could be used in monkey hunt

Monday 29 January 2024 19:07 , Sam Rkaina

Keepers are patrolling a village as the search continues for a monkey that has escaped from a wildlife park.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is also in talks with a drone company as part of efforts to find the missing Japanese macaque.

The monkey found a way out of its enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie on Sunday morning.

Locals encouraged not to feed macaque

Monday 29 January 2024 20:05 , Sam Rkaina

Darren McGarry, head of living collections at RZSS, said: “A team of our charity’s expert keepers are patrolling the village today in order to locate and return the macaque that escaped yesterday.

“We are asking anyone who spots him to please call 07933 928377 or email comms@rzss.org.uk with information.

“Although we don’t expect the monkey to be a threat to the public or pet animals, he should not be approached.

“We are doing everything we can to locate the macaque and are in talks with a drone company to help in this process.

“Locals are being encouraged to bring in any food that is kept outside, such as food waste bins and bird feeders, to encourage the monkey to return to the park once he is hungry.”

Monkey sighting hours after escape

Monday 29 January 2024 21:42 , Sam Rkaina

One couple saw the monkey in their back garden on Sunday, stating the experience was “so surreal” as they were left “elbowing each other for the best photo”.

Carl Nagle, 49, and his partner Tiina Salzberg, 50, saw the monkey from their patio doors in Kincraig on Sunday morning, where it could be seen nibbling on the nuts in their bird feeder and perching on their garden fence for around 15 minutes before running away.

Ms Salzberg, a chief strategy officer for a marketing consultancy company, said: “We were watching in awe as it’s so displaced to see a Japanese snow monkey in your garden in a village in the middle of nowhere.

“It’s just the most surreal thing, I’ve seen snow monkeys in the wild but you don’t expect to see them in your back garden in the Highland.”

What is a Japanese macaque?

Tuesday 30 January 2024 08:02 , Alexander Butler

Japanese macaques, also called Japanese snow macaques or simply snow monkeys, are found on three of the four main Japanese islands—Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu—and live further north than any other macaque species, according to the New England primate conservancy.

They have human-like naked faces and expressive eyes. They have cheek pouches for food storage. In adulthood, their faces and bottoms become red.

All macaques have opposable thumbs that they use to manipulate objects. They use all four limbs to get around (quadrupedal movement), but also walk just on their hind legs (bipedal) when holding something in both hands.

Same breed of monkey escaped in 2008

Tuesday 30 January 2024 09:00 , Alexander Butler

The same breed of monkey escaped from the same zoo 16 years ago but was recaptured within one hour, according to reports.

The Japanese animal fled Highland Wildlife Park in 2008. Three of the animals died there earlier that year. One monkey was killed by a rival in February. A second had to be put down and a third drowned.

Latest sighting of missing macaque as thermal drones deployed

Tuesday 30 January 2024 09:57 , Barney Davis

Keith Gilchrist, living collections operations manager at Highland Wildlife Park said: “There has been a sighting of the macaque this morning, which we are currently responding to.

“Throughout the day our expert team of animal keepers will be patrolling the local area using a variety of techniques to try and coax him in, as well as using our thermal image drone contractor to aid with the search. Cairngorms Mountain Rescue has also kindly offered to support with their thermal imaging drone.

“As with yesterday, we’re asking locals to please bring any obvious potential food sources like bird feeders or food waste inside, as we’re hopeful that the monkey will return to the park if he can’t find food elsewhere.

“Although the macaque is not presumed dangerous to humans or pets, our advice is to not approach him but to contact our hotline on 07933928377 with any sightings.”

Are Japanese Macaque monkeys dangerous?

Tuesday 30 January 2024 10:30 , Lydia Patrick

Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, are not usually dangerous to humans.

However, in 2022, a gang of snow monkeys terrorised residents of a Japanese city for weeks. The macaques injured almost 50 people in Yamaguchi.

Snow monkeys are common across Japan and in some areas are considered a pest, eating crops and sometimes entering homes.

What to do if you see the missing monkey?

Tuesday 30 January 2024 11:00 , Lydia Patrick

Highland Wildlife Park has e asked locals not to bring any potential food sources into the park with the hope Kingussie Kong will return if he has eaten elsewhere.

They have asked people not to approach him in the event of a sighting- but to call their hotline 07933928377.

ICYMI - ‘I thought I was hallucinating’ - Macaque spotted on the loose yesterday morning

Tuesday 30 January 2024 11:30 , Jabed Ahmed

Tony Brown, Founder of Forces Manor told the Independent: “I run a facility with accommodation for members of the British armed forces and veterans.

“At first we thought it was some cadet in camouflage on an ‘Escape and evasion’ training exercise.

“We asked if it wanted a hotel room and turned the monkey away when he refused to give us his address.”“At first, it walked passed our building outside the veteran’s lounge and my office.

“I was definitely startled - it is such an unusual sight.“It then went into a neighbours garden and I followed it.

“I saw someone from the Wildlife Trust also following the monkey- they told me it’s not dangerous but I should stay away.

“I’m ex army so I’m not startled but it was certainly an shocking sight. I thought I was hallucinating.

“I couldn’t keep up with it and it got away. It’s not like a tiny cat - probably the same height as a fairly sized dog.

“It looked at me with its pink face thinking ‘are you going to feed me or are you going to give me the boot?’

“At least it wasn’t the tiger that escaped.”

‘It was incredible’ - A couples’ sighting of the missing monkey

Tuesday 30 January 2024 12:00 , Lydia Patrick

One couple who saw the monkey in their back garden at the weekend described the experience as “so surreal”.

Carl Nagle, 49, and his partner Tiina Salzberg, 50, saw the monkey from their patio doors in Kincraig near Kingussie on Sunday morning.

It nibbled on the nuts in their bird feeder and perched on their garden fence for around 15 minutes before running away.

Ms Salzberg, a chief strategy officer for a marketing consultancy company, told the PA news agency: “We were watching in awe as it’s so displaced to see a Japanese snow monkey in your garden in a village in the middle of nowhere.

“It was absolutely wild, we were both elbowing each other trying to get the other one out of the way so we could get the best video and camera angles.

“It was incredible, I’m sure once in a lifetime.”

Mr Nagle said: “It’s just the most surreal thing, I’ve seen snow monkeys in the wild but you don’t expect to see them in your back garden in the Highlands.”

Watch - Monkey hunt as macaque goes on run after escaping from wildlife park

Tuesday 30 January 2024 12:30 , Lydia Patrick

What is a Japanese macaque?

Tuesday 30 January 2024 13:00 , Lydia Patrick

Japanese macaques, also called Japanese snow macaques or simply snow monkeys, are found on three of the four main Japanese islands—Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu—and live further north than any other macaque species, according to the New England primate conservancy.

They have human-like naked faces and expressive eyes. They have cheek pouches for food storage. In adulthood, their faces and bottoms become red.

All macaques have opposable thumbs that they use to manipulate objects. They use all four limbs to get around (quadrupedal movement), but also walk just on their hind legs (bipedal) when holding something in both hands.

Still no sign of the missing monkey

Tuesday 30 January 2024 14:00 , Lydia Patrick

The last sighting of the missing macaque was this morning.

Keith Gilchrist, living collections operations manager at Highland Wildlife Park said: “There has been a sighting of the macaque this morning, which we are currently responding to.

“Throughout the day our expert team of animal keepers will be patrolling the local area using a variety of techniques to try and coax him in, as well as using our thermal image drone contractor to aid with the search. Cairngorms Mountain Rescue has also kindly offered to support with their thermal imaging drone.

“As with yesterday, we’re asking locals to please bring any obvious potential food sources like bird feeders or food waste inside, as we’re hopeful that the monkey will return to the park if he can’t find food elsewhere.

“Although the macaque is not presumed dangerous to humans or pets, our advice is to not approach him but to contact our hotline on 07933928377 with any sightings.”

Theory on missing macaque

Tuesday 30 January 2024 15:00 , Lydia Patrick

Kingussie Kong was last spotted this morning, say Highlands Wildlife Park.

There are several theories about why he decided to escape his pen and go off on an adventure.

One theory, reported in the Guardian, claims the monkey sought respite from the fraught atmosphere of the pen during breeding season.

The fugitive ape is younger and more timid than the two dominant males amongst the highland macaques.

Watch - Escaped monkey filmed for second time in Scottish town

Tuesday 30 January 2024 16:00 , Lydia Patrick

Escaped monkey filmed for second time in Scottish town

What is a Japanese macaque?

Tuesday 30 January 2024 17:00 , Lydia Patrick

Japanese macaques, also called Japanese snow macaques or simply snow monkeys, are found on three of the four main Japanese islands—Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu—and live further north than any other macaque species, according to the New England primate conservancy.

They have human-like naked faces and expressive eyes. They have cheek pouches for food storage. In adulthood, their faces and bottoms become red.

All macaques have opposable thumbs that they use to manipulate objects. They use all four limbs to get around (quadrupedal movement), but also walk just on their hind legs (bipedal) when holding something in both hands.

‘It was incredible’ - A couples’ sighting of the missing monkey

Tuesday 30 January 2024 18:00 , Lydia Patrick

One couple who saw the monkey in their back garden at the weekend described the experience as “so surreal”.

Carl Nagle, 49, and his partner Tiina Salzberg, 50, saw the monkey from their patio doors in Kincraig near Kingussie on Sunday morning.

It nibbled on the nuts in their bird feeder and perched on their garden fence for around 15 minutes before running away.

Ms Salzberg, a chief strategy officer for a marketing consultancy company, told the PA news agency: “We were watching in awe as it’s so displaced to see a Japanese snow monkey in your garden in a village in the middle of nowhere.

“It was absolutely wild, we were both elbowing each other trying to get the other one out of the way so we could get the best video and camera angles.

“It was incredible, I’m sure once in a lifetime.”

Mr Nagle said: “It’s just the most surreal thing, I’ve seen snow monkeys in the wild but you don’t expect to see them in your back garden in the Highlands.”

ICYMI : ‘I thought I was hallucinating’ - Macaque spotted on the loose yesterday morning

Tuesday 30 January 2024 19:00 , Lydia Patrick

Tony Brown, Founder of Forces Manor told the Independent: “I run a facility with accommodation for members of the British armed forces and veterans.

“At first we thought it was some cadet in camouflage on an ‘Escape and evasion’ training exercise.

“We asked if it wanted a hotel room and turned the monkey away when he refused to give us his address.”“At first, it walked passed our building outside the veteran’s lounge and my office.

“I was definitely startled - it is such an unusual sight.“It then went into a neighbours garden and I followed it.

“I saw someone from the Wildlife Trust also following the monkey- they told me it’s not dangerous but I should stay away.

“I’m ex army so I’m not startled but it was certainly an shocking sight. I thought I was hallucinating.

“I couldn’t keep up with it and it got away. It’s not like a tiny cat - probably the same height as a fairly sized dog.

“It looked at me with its pink face thinking ‘are you going to feed me or are you going to give me the boot?’

“At least it wasn’t the tiger that escaped.”

What is a Japanese macaque?

Wednesday 31 January 2024 10:50 , Alexander Butler

Japanese macaques, also called Japanese snow macaques or simply snow monkeys, are found on three of the four main Japanese islands—Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu—and live further north than any other macaque species, according to the New England primate conservancy.

They have human-like naked faces and expressive eyes. They have cheek pouches for food storage. In adulthood, their faces and bottoms become red.

All macaques have opposable thumbs that they use to manipulate objects. They use all four limbs to get around (quadrupedal movement), but also walk just on their hind legs (bipedal) when holding something in both hands.

Kingussie Kong pictured underneath branches

Wednesday 31 January 2024 11:03 , Alexander Butler

Monkey could have been running from fight, zookeeper says

Wednesday 31 January 2024 12:34 , Alexander Butler

The monkey which escaped from a Scottish zoo might have been running from a fight during breeding season, a zookeeper said.

Keith Gilchrist, of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said high tensions among primates could have caused the animal to flee.

“It’s a very dynamic group of animals with quite a strong hierarchy. This time of year is breeding season so tensions run a little bit high and some times fights break out over breeding rights,” Mr Gilchrist told the BBC.

“When that happens the animals’ adrenaline can some times over-ride everything and rather than get into a fight it seems this one has just gone for it and got past the enclosure perimeter fence.”

Same breed of monkey escaped in 2008

Wednesday 31 January 2024 13:30 , Alexander Butler

The same breed of monkey escaped from the same zoo 16 years ago but was recaptured within one hour, according to reports.

The Japanese animal fled Highland Wildlife Park in 2008. Three of the animals died there earlier that year. One monkey was killed by a rival in February. A second had to be put down and a third drowned.

Watch: Drone footage locates monkey on the run after escaping Highlands zoo

Wednesday 31 January 2024 14:03 , Alexander Butler

Monkey 300 metres away from zoo in footage

Wednesday 31 January 2024 15:23 , Alexander Butler

The escaped monkey was 300 metres way from the zoo, according to experts.

The Japanese macaque, nicknamed Kingussie Kong, was spotted sitting underneath some branches as experts said the animal was in good health.

Watch: Escaped monkey filmed for second time in Scottish town

Wednesday 31 January 2024 16:30 , Alexander Butler

Escaped monkey filmed for second time in Scottish town

Improved weather allows drone to resume search for missing monkey

Thursday 1 February 2024 11:02 , Sam Rkaina

A drone is again being used to search for a monkey which escaped from a wildlife park four days ago.

Experts were able to follow the progress of the Japanese macaque for 45 minutes using a drone on Tuesday with help from BH Wildlife Consultancy, and said he appeared to be making his way closer to Highland Wildlife Park.

However they were unable to use the device on Wednesday due to high winds, with a yellow weather warning in place in the area.

A drone is being used again on Thursday and keepers will be hoping to catch a glimpse of the monkey and then work out how to retrieve him.

Search enters fifth day

Thursday 1 February 2024 12:01 , Sam Rkaina

Keith Gilchrist, living collections operations manager at the wildlife park, said: “Our teams are back out again today along with BH Wildlife Consultancy using the drone to try and locate the monkey.

“We’re continuing to ask locals to please bring any obvious potential food sources like bird feeders or food waste inside.

“Although the macaque is not presumed dangerous to humans or pets, our advice is to not approach him but to contact our hotline on 07933 928 377 with any sightings.”

Missing monkey found

Thursday 1 February 2024 12:12 , Sam Rkaina

The missing monkey has been found after a five day hunt.

Kingussie Kong, was found on Thursday morning, a couple of miles from the park he vanished from, the BBC reports.

Staff at the Highlands wildlife park are now checking him over, the broadcaster said.

Monkey was tranquilised 300m from zoo

Thursday 1 February 2024 12:19 , Alexander Butler

The missing monkey was tranquilised 300m from the zoo it escaped from.

Kingussie Kong, was found on Thursday morning, a couple of miles from the park he vanished from, according to reports.

The Independent has contacted Highlands Wildlife Park for comment.

Monkey’s real name revealed as Honshu

Thursday 1 February 2024 13:30 , Alexander Butler

The missing monkey’s real name has been revealed as Honshu, after days of being dubbed “Kingussie Kong” because of the area it fled to.

Keith Gilchrist, living collections operations manager at Highland Wildlife Park, said zookeepers were able to tranquilise and catch the animal while it was eating from a birdfeeder.

“We can confirm we have successfully caught the macaque that escaped from the park on Sunday, named Honshu,” Mr Gilchrist said.

“After a call to our hotline just after 10am our keepers and drone team made their way to a member of the public’s garden where the monkey was eating from a birdfeeder and successfully used a tranquiliser dart to catch him.

“The monkey is on the way back to the park with our keepers where he will be looked over by one of our vet team and reintroduced to sub-adult males within the group.

“We want to thank everyone who has helped during the process and will continue to share any further updates.”

‘I was shocked'

Thursday 1 February 2024 18:53 , Alex Ross

Stephanie Banyan told Channel 5 News how she found the monkey staring at her when coming down for breakfast on Thursday morning.

“I thought I better call the hotline,” she said after looking at the missing macaque.

She later revealed it was a leftover Yorkshire pudding which tempted the primate top her back door.

Watch: ‘He was staring straight in the window at me'

Thursday 1 February 2024 19:12 , Alex Ross

Finding escaped monkey in our garden ‘a story to tell the grandchildren'

Thursday 1 February 2024 19:53 , Andy Gregory

A woman who found the escaped macaque sitting in her garden this morning has said it will be “a story to tell the grandchildren”.

“I came down this morning, sat in the sunroom with my cup of coffee, just glanced to the side and the monkey was just looking straight in the window at me,” said Stephanie Banyan.

“I was shocked and I just ran down to Howard and said ‘the monkey’s in our garden’. He came down here and jumped up on the wall here and sat here for a little while,” Ms Banyan told Channel 5 News.

“It’ll be a story to tell the grandchildren,” she added.

Macaque shown back at wildlife park in new footage

Thursday 1 February 2024 20:05 , Andy Gregory

Here is some footage of the newly recaptured macaque rehoused at the Highland Wildlife Park, following its days-long escapade through the Strathspey countryside.

Last moments of monkey’s escape captured in drone footage

Thursday 1 February 2024 20:24 , Andy Gregory

BH Wildlife Consultancy – which aided with the drone search for the escaped macaque – has published a clip from the moment the monkey was captured.

Friday 2 February 2024 13:00 , Sam Rkaina