CHIMPANZEES at Belfast Zoo managed to escape their enclosure yesterday after using a fallen branch as a makeshift ladder.

Footage on social media showed the animals using a branch felled by Storm Erik to scale the wall of their enclosure.

The Great (ape) Escape!!! These chimps at Belfast Zoo used a broken tree branch as a ladder today. Video credit: Danielle Monaghan and Dean McFaul pic.twitter.com/Y9pEVOI65y — U105 (@U105radio) 9 February 2019

While some of the chimpanzees stayed on top of the wall, another decided to explore the grounds.

The animal enjoyed a casual stroll around the grounds as visitors filmed its unexpected excursion.


The Great (ape) Escape!!! Some visitors got a bit of a surprise at Belfast Zoo today! 🐒 Video credit: Danielle Monaghan and Dean McFaul pic.twitter.com/dwB0JGTglX — U105 (@U105radio) 9 February 2019

A zoo spokesperson told BBC News NI: the primates are quite intelligent and know they are not supposed to be out of their enclosure, so went back of their own accord.

Last June, a spider monkey that escaped from the zoo died after being struck by a car, while a red panda was found alive and well after going missing from its enclosure last month.