Monkey Captured After Five-Day Adventure in Scottish Highlands
Honshu, a Japanese macaque, embarked on a five-day adventure in the Scottish Highlands before being safely returned to the Highland Wildlife Park. The escapade, dubbed the ‘Highland Monkey Adventure,’ captivated the community and ended with a successful capture.
By Beth Snider · February 4, 2024
A Japanese macaque named Honshu, fondly nicknamed Kingussie Kong, has been successfully captured and returned to the Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie after a daring five-day adventure in the Scottish Highlands.
Honshu’s escape from his enclosure triggered a major search operation, captivating the local community and wildlife enthusiasts. The monkey’s escapade took an unexpected turn when he was found munching on a bird feeder in a garden less than two miles away from the park.
The escape artist was lured in by an enticing spread of Yorkshire puddings left out overnight for the birds, as revealed by Stephanie Bunyan, the vigilant resident who alerted authorities. In an update, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) reported that Honshu appears to be in good health, having consumed a notable amount of peanuts during his time in the wild.
After a successful tranquilizing operation by the park’s keepers and drone team, Honshu is now safely back at the Highland Wildlife Park. The RZSS assured the public that the seven-year-old macaque is under careful monitoring and will be gradually reintroduced to his monkey group. David Field, the chief executive of RZSS, expressed gratitude to the local community for their patience and cooperation throughout the escapade. He commended the professionalism, patience, and diligence of the park’s staff in handling the situation.
Honshu’s escape coincided with the mating season for snow monkeys, which could have contributed to his adventurous spirit. The RZSS urged local villagers to secure outdoor food waste bins and bird feeders, hoping to encourage the Japanese macaque to return home. The wildlife park is known for successfully breeding and housing a substantial group of these monkeys. The RZSS reassured the public that the escape did not pose a threat and thanked everyone involved in the successful capture.
This incident dubbed the “Highland Monkey Adventure,” has come to a close, leaving behind a tale of a cheeky macaque’s escapade that captured the hearts of the Scottish Highlands.