Two gibbons escape zoo enclosure as visitors evacuated during ‘amber alert’

Paignton Zoo had only just reopened after a two week closure due to avian flu

Two gibbons made their escape but were recaptured by Paignton Zoo staff (Getty)

A zoo was forced to evacuate visitors after two gibbons escaped from their enclosure, sparking an “amber” warning alert.

Paignton Zoo had only just reopened after a two-week closure due to avian flu when the incident occurred on Wednesday.

One witness said visitors to the zoo were prevented from using one of the pathways at around 1.40pm while zookeepers worked to return the gibbons to their dwellings.

Another told Somerset Live: “We have all been evacuated now but there are zoo workers running around like crazy.”

Did you witness the gibbon escape? If so email matt.mathers@independent.co.uk

On Thursday morning Paignton Zoo issued the following statement at 10.40am: “Yesterday afternoon, two gibbons escaped from their enclosure at Paignton Zoo into trees next to their island home.

“As a precautionary measure, zoo visitors were evacuated from the area in accordance with our well-rehearsed escaped animal procedure. Zoo staff regularly carry out escape drills and follow a strict protocol for dealing with events such as this.

“Staff were quickly able to recapture one of the animals and the second was contained within a secure area by late afternoon. Contrary to some earlier reporting, at no point during this situation were animals “missing” or unaccounted for, and the animals have not strayed more than 50m from their home.

Paignton Zoo in Devon had reopened Wednesday morning due to a bird flu outbreak (PA Archive/PA Images)

“Staff successfully moved the animal from this secure area back to its home this morning and we are now reopen to the public. We are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the escape.”

A post on the zoo’s Facebook page earlier this morning said that the zoo was delaying opening until 11am at the earliest while it “resolves an ongoing situation on site.” It urged visitors who were planning to visit the zoo today to keep an eye on the zoo’s social media and website for updates.

The Independent has contacted Paignton Zoo for additional comment.

The zoo had been forced to pull down the shutters a fortnight ago when two cases of bird flu were discovered at the site.