CHIMPANZEES at Belfast Zoo managed to escape their enclosure yesterday after using a fallen branch as a makeshift ladder.
Footage on social media showed the animals using a branch felled by Storm Erik to scale the wall of their enclosure.
The Great (ape) Escape!!!
These chimps at Belfast Zoo used a broken tree branch as a ladder today.
Video credit: Danielle Monaghan and Dean McFaul pic.twitter.com/Y9pEVOI65y
— U105 (@U105radio) 9 February 2019
While some of the chimpanzees stayed on top of the wall, another decided to explore the grounds.
The animal enjoyed a casual stroll around the grounds as visitors filmed its unexpected excursion.
The Great (ape) Escape!!! Some visitors got a bit of a surprise at Belfast Zoo today! 🐒
Video credit: Danielle Monaghan and Dean McFaul pic.twitter.com/dwB0JGTglX
— U105 (@U105radio) 9 February 2019
A zoo spokesperson told BBC News NI: the primates are quite intelligent and know they are not supposed to be out of their enclosure, so went back of their own accord.
Last June, a spider monkey that escaped from the zoo died after being struck by a car, while a red panda was found alive and well after going missing from its enclosure last month.
