Monkey business: Primate briefly escapes exhibit at Louisville Zoo

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — There was a little bit of monkey business on Friday at the Louisville Zoo.

>> Read more trending news

According to zoo spokesperson Kyle Shepherd, a colobus monkey named Rajesh, also known as Raj, briefly escaped from its exhibit at about 10 a.m. EDT, WLKY-TV reported.

The animal’s keeper found Raj a few feet outside of his enclosure, the television station reported.

Colobus monkeys are not considered dangerous and do not pose a threat to people or other animals, WHAS-TV reported.

“Guests were redirected away from the area so the team could focus on Raj’s safe return,” Shepherd said in a statement. “Keepers were strategically placed to secure the perimeter, and Raj returned on his own to his habitat around 11:30 a.m.”

Shepherd said the small transfer chute panel connected to Raj’s exhibit had failed, WHAS reported. Repairs are underway, the television station reported.

“The safety of our animals, guests and staff is our top priority,” Louisville Zoo Director Dan Maloney said in a statement. “Colobus monkeys do not pose any danger to humans, and Raj was not at any risk during his short venture outside of his exhibit space. Our team undergoes extensive training for emergency situations that may arise, and I am proud of our team’s swift work to return Raj to his exhibit space safely.”

©2022 Cox Media Group