Adventurous Monkey Rescued After Yorkshire Pudding Lure in the Scottish Highlands
A mischievous Japanese macaque, affectionately dubbed “Kingussie Kong,” is readjusting to life at the Highland Wildlife Park after a daring five-day escapade in the Scottish Highlands. The adventure began when Honshu, the monkey, managed to escape his enclosure last Sunday, sparking an extensive search operation.
The escape artist was believed to have been drawn away by the allure of some Yorkshire pudding left out for birds, leading to his unexpected journey. The saga came to a peaceful conclusion on Thursday when Honshu was safely tranquilized and captured while feasting from a chicken feeder in a backyard, not far from the wildlife park.
Stephanie Bunyan, who first noticed the hungry visitor in her garden, reported to The Guardian that, alongside the usual peanuts in her feeders, she had also left out Yorkshire pudding, which had mysteriously disappeared by the next morning.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which operates the park, provided a reassuring update on Friday. They confirmed that Honshu was in good health, having maintained his weight and indulged in a considerable quantity of peanuts during his brief stint in the wild.
David Field, CEO of RZSS, expressed his relief and satisfaction at Honshu’s well-being and outlined plans for the monkey’s gradual reintegration with his fellow primates at the park. Field also extended heartfelt gratitude to the local community and the park staff for their support and efforts during the search.
The local residents had played a crucial role in Honshu’s safe return, with advice given to secure food waste bins and bird feeders to deter the monkey from lingering in the area. The search team utilized a drone, which at one point tracked Honshu for 45 minutes, although they were unable to secure him until Thursday.
Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, are noted for being the most northerly dwelling non-human primates. The Highland Wildlife Park boasts a thriving community of these macaques, having successfully bred the species. Honshu’s return marks the end of his brief but eventful Highland adventure, much to the relief of both the wildlife park officials and the local community.