One of three escaped Hanuman monkeys still at large, authorities intensify efforts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two of the three Hanuman monkeys that escaped from the city zoo have been safely captured but one remains on the loose. The zoo authorities confirmed that the three female monkeys escaped from their enclosure on Monday morning around 7 am. After a thorough search, the monkeys were located in trees near the zoo's open enclosure.

By Tuesday evening, two of the monkeys had been captured. The first was lured back into the cage using a wooden plank designed by the zoo staff to attract them with food. The second monkey, displaying more adventurous behaviour, was captured from atop a tree by the zoo staff. Both monkeys are reported to be in good health

Efforts are ongoing to capture the third monkey, which remains high up in a tree and has yet to drink any water, raising concerns about possible dehydration. Zoo authorities, including Dr Nikesh Kiran, are closely monitoring the situation and have deployed staff to keep watch. They continue to attempt to lure the monkey into the enclosure by using its captured mates as bait and setting up wooden sticks in the cage.