A Japanese macaque that went missing from a Scots wildlife park has returned to his enclosure. Luka disappeared from the Highland Wildlife Park near Aviemore overnight on Sunday, August 16.
Search and return
Staff launched a search for the animal, and the public was advised not to approach him. A thermal drone was used to aid the search. Luka was last seen in the Balavil area. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which operates the park, said it did not know how Luka escaped.
Luka returned to his enclosure on Monday, August 17, according to BBC Scotland.
Expert comment
Darren McGarry, head of animal care at the RZSS, earlier said: "We are doing everything we can to locate the macaque using a variety of techniques in the local area including a thermal imaging drone."
He added: "Primate group dynamics can be very complex and males being forced out of a group is not uncommon. Although the macaque is not dangerous, our advice is members of the public should not approach him and to contact 07769165117 with any details of a sighting."
Previous incident
In 2024, another Japanese macaque, Honshu, went on the run for four days after fleeing the park following an apparent fight with other male monkeys. He was later captured after being spotted in a nearby garden and was moved to Edinburgh Zoo. Fencing and management protocols at the park were improved after that incident.
