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乌鸦传媒檛 be immediately found, they called the conservation service on Monday.

乌鸦传媒淚t took off into the forest, across the road, hasn乌鸦传媒檛 been seen since,乌鸦传媒� Norris said. 乌鸦传媒淭hey乌鸦传媒檝e been out with traps trying to call it and catch it.乌鸦传媒�

With so many trees in the area, that乌鸦传媒檚 a daunting task.

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

乌鸦传媒淲e want to let the public know that if they see it, not to approach it, to call the conservation office,乌鸦传媒� he said. 乌鸦传媒淚f you see it call us immediately.乌鸦传媒�

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乌鸦传媒檚 best not to touch the animal, Norris explained.

乌鸦传媒淚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,乌鸦传媒� he said.

乌鸦传媒淎t some point it may show itself if it乌鸦传媒檚 hungry,乌鸦传媒� Norris added. 乌鸦传媒淚t may survive for a while out in the bush but we乌鸦传媒檙e hoping it乌鸦传媒檒l return for food.乌鸦传媒�

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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