Roxy still on the run after zoo escape

A marksman with a tranquilliser gun has missing monkey Jade in his sights. The macaque was spotted in a tree near Merville Garden Village on Friday, October 25. Pic by John McKnight

Roxy, a lion-tailed macaque, has been spotted on several occasions around north Belfast and Newtownabbey, but so far she has managed to evade capture.

A total of six macaques escaped from their enclosure at Belfast Zoo on Monday, October 21. Four were quickly recaptured, but two - Jade and Roxy - went on the run.

The monkeys were spotted in the grounds of Hazelwood Integrated Primary and Ben Madigan Prep School, where staff and pupils were delighted with their really wild visitors.

One of the escapees - Jade - was finally recaptured on Friday afternoon (October 25) at Gideon’s Green near Merville Garden Village after it was spotted by members of the public.

“When the zoo team arrived Jade was high in a tree and, after the macaque was tranquillised by the zoo team and the zoo vet, the Fire and Rescue Service used a hydraulic lift to reach the animal. Jade has now returned to her enclosure at the zoo and is settling back in with the lion-tailed macaque group,” explained zoo manager, Mark Challis.

“We would like to thank the Fire and Rescue Service, the PSNI and the bystanders who showed their support on Friday,” he added.

“We are continuing to monitor and follow up on all sightings of the last remaining lion-tailed macaque, Roxy. If anyone sees her we would ask them to contact the zoo immediately. Although she poses no danger to the public, we would ask that you do not attempt to approach or catch the animal.”

Sightings can be reported to the zoo team on 028 9077 6277, or Tennent Street Police Station on 0845 600 8000.