Chimp uses tree as a ladder to escape from zoo enclosure

A CHIMPANZEE fashioned a makeshift ladder from a broken tree branch to get out of its enclosure in Belfast Zoo’s second animal escape in a month.

The primate managed to climb over a wall before emerging from bushes in front of shocked visitors.

It later returned to its enclosure without needing to be captured.

One child watching the spectacle exclaimed: “Don’t escape you bad little gorilla.” Other chimpanzees were filmed sitting atop the walls. The escape ended when the animals returned to their quarters.

It was the second breach in recent weeks after an endangered red panda went missing when electric fences failed. The animal was recaptured in the driveway of a nearby house.

Zoo bosses said they were reviewing safety measures and suggested trees in the chimps’ enclosure could be felled.

Alyn Cairns, a zookeeper, said damage caused by Storm Erik enabled the chimpanzee “briefly” to make its escape.

The chimpanzee was filmed by a zoo visitor as it used the felled tree branch to make its escape