'Code red' alert at major UK zoo after monkey escapes into park
Paignton Zoo sign
PA
A popular British zoo was evacuated earlier today after a monkey escaped from its enclosure, a spokesperson has revealed.
Workers at Paignton Zoo in Devon eventually recaptured the primate as many visitors were forced to take cover in the zoo's restaurant.
The zoo, which is the first botanical and zoological garden in the UK, later confirmed an incident had taken place but were unable to explain how the monkey escaped from its enclosure.
A spokesperson released a statement which said: "Earlier today, staff at Paignton Zoo had to attend to an incident involving an escaped monkey.
A sign en route to Paignton Zoo
Google Street View
"As a precautionary measure, zoo visitors were evacuated from the area in accordance with our well-rehearsed escaped animal procedure and the animal was re-captured without incident shortly after the alert was raised.
"We are currently investigating how this incident occurred and would like to thank everyone who was at the zoo this morning for their patience and co-operation."
The statement gained significant traction on social media, with 779 likes and 259 comments on Facebook.
Eyewitnesses claimed a "code red" alert had been imposed following the monkey's escape.
A generic image of Paignton Zoo's Baboon Rock
Wikimedia Commons
The warning was reportedly later downgraded to a "code amber" and visitors were allowed to leave the restaurant.
An eyewitness told DevonLive: "Guests were enclosed in certain areas and stopped from going to the bottom end of the zoo.
"Add that onto all play areas closed, crocodile swamp and giraffe house all closed, it's chaos."
Other visitors took to social media to explain how they had been impacted by the situation.
An image of Paignton Zoo's Monkey Heights
Wikimedia Commons
One said: "At Paignton Zoo and we've all been turfed into the restaurant because an animal has escaped."
Another added: "Having a summer fun day at Paignton Zoo and we've all been hurried to safety urgently."
Paignton Zoo is home to 3,828 animals across an 80-acre site.
Around 140 people are employed at the South West tourist attraction.
An image of the map from Paignton Zoo
Paignton Zoo
Paignton Zoo yesterday shut all play areas until further notice due to operational issues.
It said on Facebook: "We apologize that all of our play areas will be closed until further notice due to operational issues.
"We're working hard to get this resolved and the play areas opened as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding."