Escaped macaque at Highland Wildlife Park

UPDATE 17:50 17/08/2026: Luka the Japanese macaque has now safely returned to his habitat at Highland Wildlife Park.

Darren McGarry, head of animal care at RZSS, said: “The search has concluded successfully and Luka is safely back in our care. He will now be looked over by our keepers and veterinary team before being carefully reintroduced to his group.

“We want to thank everyone who has helped during the search particularly those who supported our teams. Luka arrived home on his own accord and we are delighted to have him safely back at the park.”

ORIGINAL STATEMENT: A young male Japanese macaque named Luka escaped late yesterday from his habitat at Highland Wildlife Park. Search teams are working to track the macaque who was last seen in the Balavil area and return him safely to the park.

Darren McGarry, head of animal care at The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), said: “We are doing everything we can to locate the macaque using a variety of techniques in the local area including a thermal imaging drone.

“Primate group dynamics can be very complex and males being forced out of a group is not uncommon.

“Although the macaque is not dangerous, our advice is members of the public should not approach him and to contact 07769165117 with any details of a sighting.”

Further updates will be shared as the search progresses.