A young monkey has managed to get out of a wildlife park that was at the centre of a similar monkey escape two years ago.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) said it was searching for Luka after he disappeared overnight from the Highland Wildlife Park, near Aviemore, in the Cairngorms National Park.

In January 2024, another Japanese macaque went on the run for more than five days after it fled the park, apparently after a fight with other male monkeys.

Honshu was captured after being spotted in the garden of a nearby house and later moved to Edinburgh Zoo to give him “a fresh start”.

RZSS said it did not know how and when Luka escaped.

It said fencing was improved and different management protocols were introduced following the Honchu incident.

Darren McGarry, head of animal care, 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.”

RZSS chief executive David Field said Luka was likely to be trying to get back into his enclosure.

He said: “We are doing everything we can to find him.”

The Japanese macaque – also known as a snow monkey – is about the size of a medium-sized dog once it reaches adulthood.

Honshu, who escaped two years ago, was part of a troop of 37 animals at the park.

RZSS said at the time he may have been trying to avoid a fight with others in the group when he escaped.

The troop was in the midst of its breeding season and keepers said tensions could sometimes run high.