- A young male Japanese macaque named Luka returned to Highland Wildlife Park near Aviemore of his own accord on Monday evening after escaping from his enclosure overnight.
- Search teams spent the day attempting to track the macaque across the local area using thermal imaging drones, with animal care staff advising the public not to approach him during the search.
- Luka will undergo health checks by keepers and veterinary staff before being carefully reintroduced to his group, with experts noting that complex social dynamics often result in males being forced out.
- The escape follows a similar incident in January 2024 when another Japanese macaque named Honshu spent five days roaming the Highlands before being captured and subsequently transferred to Edinburgh Zoo.
- Highland Wildlife Park houses a large group of Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, which live within strict social hierarchies subject to constant competition among males.
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