A Japanese macaque named Honshu, who escaped from Highland Wildlife Park near Kincraig and was on the run for over five days last month, has been relocated to another zoo after struggling to readjust to park life.
After being spotted in a nearby garden by Stephanie Bunyan, Honshu was recaptured. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which manages the wildlife park, decided to transfer Honshu to Edinburgh Zoo to provide him with a fresh start. He was accompanied by three other male macaques from his troop.
Darren McGarry, head of living collections at RZSS, explained the decision, stating, “Primate group dynamics can be very complex, particularly when an individual has been separated from the troop for an extended period. Honshu, being at the age when macaques disperse or move away, would have faced significant challenges reintegrating into his wider family.”
The Japanese macaque, also referred to as the snow monkey, typically reaches the size of a medium-sized dog once they reach adulthood.
Honshu was among the 37 animals comprising the troop at the Highland Wildlife Park.
According to the RZSS, Honshu might have fled to avoid potential conflicts within the group during the breeding season when tensions tend to escalate.
Although the RZSS assured the public that the monkey was unlikely to pose a threat to people or pets, they urged individuals not to approach it.
The search for Honshu involved patrols by RZSS staff and drones, including one equipped with thermal imaging technology operated by the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team.
Honshu’s breakout led to the creation of numerous inventive online memes and AI-generated images.