Second missing monkey found at leisure centre

The second missing monkey from Belfast Zoo has been found – in the Valley Leisure Centre in Newtownabbey.

Macaque monkey Zoid was discovered on Saturday in Valley Park by a running team.

But he is then believed to have made his way into the Valley Leisure Centre to the shock of members of the public.

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The monkey had been on the run since Wednesday, after escaping from the zoo with partner in crime Rose – who was found on Thursday.

But, against all the odds, Zoid managed to evade capture for a further two nights, keeping his minders on their toes.

A spokeswoman for Belfast Zoo said: “We are pleased to confirm that both of the two lion-tailed macaques, that escaped from Belfast Zoo (25 March 2015), have now been returned safely to the zoo site.

“The second macaque was found in a nearby location and was returned to the zoo by the zoo vet and keepers.

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“Rose and Zoid are now settling back into their home and we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support over the last few days.”

The pair made the headlines last week when they were spotted by walkers in the Cave Hill area enjoying their freedom.

On Thursday afternoon Rose was found and returned to the zoo.

Then a spokesman for the Belfast Zoo said: “The macaque was found in a nearby location and was returned to the zoo by the zoo vet, keepers and the Northern Ireland Fire Service.”

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Lion-tailed macaques have a distinctive grey mane around their faces which makes their heads look big. Their name comes from their tufted, droopy tails, similar to a lion’s.

In 2013, six macaque monkeys escaped from Belfast Zoo.

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