Primate Estate has had a primate escape and there is a monkey on the loose on Vancouver Island.

B.C. Conservation officer Scott Norris confirmed the monkey had escaped from an animal sanctuary near Lake Cowichan over the weekend, while staff were doing some work on its enclosure. When it couldn害羞草研究所檛 be immediately found, they called the conservation service on Monday.

害羞草研究所淚t took off into the forest, across the road, hasn害羞草研究所檛 been seen since,害羞草研究所� Norris said. 害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檝e been out with traps trying to call it and catch it.害羞草研究所�

With so many trees in the area, that害羞草研究所檚 a daunting task.

Norris said the male monkey is small and dark brown in colour, or black.

害羞草研究所淲e want to let the public know that if they see it, not to approach it, to call the conservation office,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚f you see it call us immediately.害羞草研究所�

While the risk to the public is low, unlike the case when Suzie the Bengal tiger escaped from her enclosure at the same animal sanctuary back in 2007, it害羞草研究所檚 best not to touch the animal, Norris explained.

害羞草研究所淚f somebody tries to handle it, it could bite and obviously there is the potential for disease transfer so we are asking people to leave it alone,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淎t some point it may show itself if it害羞草研究所檚 hungry,害羞草研究所� Norris added. 害羞草研究所淚t may survive for a while out in the bush but we害羞草研究所檙e hoping it害羞草研究所檒l return for food.害羞草研究所�

Should anyone spot the missing monkey, they are to call 1-877-952-7277 and report it to the conservation office call centre.

sarah.simpson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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