Gibbon escapes from zoo enclosure

Twycross was put into emergency lockdown

TWYCROSS Zoo was put into emergency lockdown after an adventurous ape escaped its enclosure.

Zoo staff said the siamang gibbon got loose for a short time on Saturday morning, prompting the temporary closure of the attraction.

Visitors arriving at the zoo on the busy bank holiday week-end morning were kept waiting at the gates while zoo employees tried to catch the creature and put him back where he belonged.

Long traffic jams developed outside the gates.

People who had already made their way inside were called back and, as a precaution, were shepherded into the Himalayas cafe area while the situation was brought under control.

One guest tweeted that he had been locked in the lorikeets area.

Dr Sharon Redrobe, chief executive of Twycross Zoo said: “As a precaution – and as part of our standard procedure – we temporarily closed the zoo due to one of our gibbons being in an area he shouldn’t be in.

“Our animal team were in control of the situation at all times and at no time were any visitors, animals or team members in any danger.

“The zoo reopened within 20 minutes and we are now back to normal operation with our guests continuing to enjoy the sunny bank holiday weekend with us.”

Siamangs have long black fur and adults have a throat sac that is used to call over long distances.

They have have long arms that they use to hang from branches and swing through trees.

In the wild they live in family groups made up of a parental pair and their offspring.

Each pair has their own territory which they defend from their neighbours through loud call displays.

They breed throughout the year. The adults share parental care, with the male doing most of the carrying of the infant from eight months onwards.

The main part of a siamang’s diet is leaves but they will also eat fruit, flowers and small animals.

The main threat facing the species is habitat loss due to logging and agriculture.

A small proportion of their habitat is protected but not enough to sustain a big population.

They are also in danger due to poaching for the pet trade.