Public warned not to approach monkey on the loose in Kent

A monkey is on the loose after escaping its enclosure at Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent. Keepers and specialist vets are on standby to “contain” the lion tailed macaque after it disappeared without trace from the popular attraction near Canterbury.

Keepers have confirmed the male primate, called Tamil, left the boundaries of the park after vanishing at some point on Tuesday night and has not been seen since. Members of the public are warned not to approach the male primate, though animal director Adrian Harland has sought to reassure those living nearby that he is not considered a threat.



A Howletts spokesman said: "A young male lion tailed macaque is currently out of his enclosure at Howletts and keepers have confirmed that the monkey has left the park boundary. Kent Police and the council have been informed, whilst keepers and vets are on standby to safely contain the animal.

"Whilst the macaque is outside the wild animal park, the public have been asked to report any sightings to us." There have been no reported sightings of the escaped animal which was thought to have been housed in an open-topped pen. Macaques are fruit and seed eating primates native to South India and are characterised by their white manes.