07/07/2010 01:32 PM
A group of innovative primates managed to escape from their enclosure at Kyoto University's Primate Research Institute by using tree branches to vault the five-metre tall high security fencing used to contain them.
The 15 monkeys launched themselves off a number of two-metre tall trees, but did not know what to do once they were free.
They remained close to the perimeter fencing and were later recaptured.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, the Primate Research Institute's deputy director Hirohisa Hirai said: "We were extremely surprised by the intelligence and the power they used in order to escape.
"Fortunately, they stayed by the fence after escaping as they probably wanted to stay near to the other monkeys so we managed to recapture them all."
Staff at the institute have trimmed trees inside the perimeter of the enclosure to ensure an escape attempt is not mounted again.
Recently, staff at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall visited Dublin Zoo to get advice on how to construct a 12-acre elephant enclosure complete with high security fencing.
The 15 monkeys launched themselves off a number of two-metre tall trees, but did not know what to do once they were free.
They remained close to the perimeter fencing and were later recaptured.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, the Primate Research Institute's deputy director Hirohisa Hirai said: "We were extremely surprised by the intelligence and the power they used in order to escape.
"Fortunately, they stayed by the fence after escaping as they probably wanted to stay near to the other monkeys so we managed to recapture them all."
Staff at the institute have trimmed trees inside the perimeter of the enclosure to ensure an escape attempt is not mounted again.
Recently, staff at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall visited Dublin Zoo to get advice on how to construct a 12-acre elephant enclosure complete with high security fencing.
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