LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE

Honshu the monkey moves to Edinburgh Zoo

A Japanese macaque who captured the attention of people around the world when he escaped from Highland Wildlife Park in January will be taking up residence at Edinburgh Zoo.

Honshu the monkey moves to Edinburgh Zoo

Article Source: Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
Last Updated: 29 February 2024 13:02

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), the wildlife conservation charity which operates both parks, has moved seven-year-old Honshu to the capital with three males from his troop to give him a fresh start after his time on the run.

Darren McGarry, head of living collections at RZSS, said: "Primate group dynamics can be very complex, especially in a situation like this where an individual is separated from the troop for an extended period of time.

“Honshu is also of the age when macaques disperse or move away, so it would have been very difficult to reintroduce him to his wider family. Instead, we want to create a new, mini-troop for him, comprised of three other male macaques of similar age – just like with our giraffes. Thankfully they have settled in well together at the park and are now being moved to their new home at the zoo.”


RZSS animal keepers and vets, and an animal detection expert, successfully returned Honshu after his escape in January using a thermal imagine drone after he was discovered stealing food from a birdfeeder in a local garden.

Keith Gilchrist, living collections operations manager at Highland Wildlife Park, said: "We were amazed by the level of interest in Honshu’s escape from across the globe but our only priority throughout the process was to secure his safe return. I’m glad to say that thanks largely to the expertise of the team involved in his recapture, as well as a groundswell of support from the local community, we were able to do just that. Now it’s time for Honshu’s next chapter.”

The monkeys will stay indoors for the first few days before being able to explore the outdoor area of their new enclosure, opposite the zoo’s red river hogs.

You can adopt Honshu and rest of the macaques at the zoo and park by visiting rzss.org.uk/adopt. 

Image credit: RZSS

Sponsored Links

Kevin Quantum
St Mary's Music School
Mowgli
Leith Makers
Open Pass Scotland
Kevin Quantum
Renfrewshire Council

Latest Edinburgh News

Dogstar Theatre brings Gideon Mack from page to stage

Dogstar Theatre brings Gideon Mack from page to stage

James Robertson's 2006 best-selling novel will be brought to life in early 2025 with a stage adaptation of The Testament of Gideon Mack from Dogstar Theatre Company.

READ MORE
Experience a World of Winter Wonder at Dynamic Earth this December

Experience a World of Winter Wonder at Dynamic Earth this December

Dynamic Earth invites families to step into a world of winter wonder, and to experience the magic of the holidays like never before.

READ MORE
Iconic soft drink is hitting the road with the festive truck the nation has been waiting for

Iconic soft drink is hitting the road with the festive truck the nation has been waiting for

The battle of festive cola trucks has already kicked off between Lidl and Coke - but now the country's most iconic soft drink, IRN-BRU, has joined in!

READ MORE
Capital Theatres launches new partnership with The Secret Garden Distillery

Capital Theatres launches new partnership with The Secret Garden Distillery

Capital Theatres is delighted to celebrate the launch of a new bar partnership with The Secret Garden Distillery, a family-owned luxury distillery based in Edinburgh.

READ MORE
Ring in the New Year at Flight Club Edinburgh with the Ultimate Hogmanay Brunch

Ring in the New Year at Flight Club Edinburgh with the Ultimate Hogmanay Brunch

Flight Club Edinburgh is celebrating Hogmanay in style with a bottomless brunch to end all bottomless brunches and a gorgeous limited-edition cocktail menu.

READ MORE
itison founder calls for action to help children who will have nothing this winter

itison founder calls for action to help children who will have nothing this winter

Founder of Scottish business, itison, Oli Norman, has spoken out about the 'devastating' level of poverty in Scotland this festive season.

READ MORE
Rediscovered Artemisia Gentileschi painting goes on display in Scotland for the first time

Rediscovered Artemisia Gentileschi painting goes on display in Scotland for the first time

A rare surviving painting by Artemisia Gentileschi, the greatest female artist of her generation, is on display for visitors to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

READ MORE
Edinburgh Cafe Partners with local Dog and Cat Home for Launch of New Club to Support Pets in Need

Edinburgh Cafe Partners with local Dog and Cat Home for Launch of New Club to Support Pets in Need

Sip & Bark, the beloved dog-friendly café in Edinburgh, has announced a new partnership with Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home through the launch of an exclusive membership club.

READ MORE
The Leith Collective launches new store at Livingston Designer Outlet

The Leith Collective launches new store at Livingston Designer Outlet

The Leith Collective launches new store at Livingston Designer Outlet and invites designer fans to go green and shop sustainably this Christmas.

READ MORE
Edinburgh based Vittoria Group opens new Restaurant on the Royal Mile

Edinburgh based Vittoria Group opens new Restaurant on the Royal Mile

Reimagining the coastal chippy in the midst of Scotland's capital, Edinburgh based Vittoria Group has today opened Landy's Restaurant on the Royal Mile.

READ MORE
Young Carers Create Exhibition of Amazing Illusions

Young Carers Create Exhibition of Amazing Illusions

Magical images created by young carers are on show in a special free-to-see exhibition of photographic illusions as part of Edinburgh’s 15th annual MagicFest.

READ MORE
Milestone photographic portraits of the Royal Family to go on show in Edinburgh

Milestone photographic portraits of the Royal Family to go on show in Edinburgh

Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography will chart the evolution of royal portrait photography from the 1920s to the present day at The King’s Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse in 2025.

READ MORE
Splash into 2025 with New Year challenge to transform lives

Splash into 2025 with New Year challenge to transform lives

A unique swimming challenge is inviting swimmers to set personal goals and raise funds for a life-changing hydrotherapy pool on behalf of leading disability charity, Capability Scotland.

READ MORE
FIRST LOOK at Donny Osmond in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

FIRST LOOK at Donny Osmond in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

First look at production shots for the acclaimed London Palladium production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, featuring Donny Osmond as Pharoah.

READ MORE
New Co op store launches in Shawfair Park

New Co op store launches in Shawfair Park

The Co-op’s newest store launched today (6th December) in Shawfair Park, Edinburgh.

READ MORE
Cold water reset retreats with Sophie Hellyer debut at Marine Troon

Cold water reset retreats with Sophie Hellyer debut at Marine Troon

Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts launches new series - 'Adventure weekends with Marine & Lawn'.

READ MORE
Edinburgh Zoo welcomes endangered Asiatic lioness

Edinburgh Zoo welcomes endangered Asiatic lioness

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo has welcomed eight-year-old Asiatic lioness, Bindee, from Parc Zoologique et Botanique de Mulhouse in France.

READ MORE
Forever Edinburgh has today announced a new charity drive for Edinburgh residents

Forever Edinburgh has today announced a new charity drive for Edinburgh residents

This will see Forever Edinburgh collaborate with local tourism businesses to provide hundreds of free experiences to those most in need this festive season and beyond.

READ MORE
Edinburgh hotel gives 6750 plastic bottles a stylish second life

Edinburgh hotel gives 6750 plastic bottles a stylish second life

Ten Hill Place Hotel has recently unveiled new staff uniforms designed by Gresham Blake and made from recycled plastic bottles, alongside achieving 16th consecutive Green Tourism Gold Award.

READ MORE
Enjoy the best of Belfast at Christmas with Stena Line

Enjoy the best of Belfast at Christmas with Stena Line

A beautiful city with a rich history and a giant adventure to be found around every corner, there is no shortage of incredible festive experiences to enjoy in Belfast.

READ MORE
Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur wins Turner Prize 2024

Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur wins Turner Prize 2024

Jasleen Kaur, whose exhibition Alter Altar at Tramway uses a vintage Ford Escort, worship bells and Irn-Bru to celebrate the Scottish Sikh community, has won this year's Turner Prize.

READ MORE
TRNSMT reveals superstar first acts for Glasgow Green 2025

TRNSMT reveals superstar first acts for Glasgow Green 2025

50 Cent, Biffy Clyro, Snow Patrol, The Script, Fontaines D.C. and Gracie Abrams are included among the much-anticipated first wave of artists announced for Scotland's biggest music event.

READ MORE
A sensational year of art for everyone at National Galleries of Scotland in 2025

A sensational year of art for everyone at National Galleries of Scotland in 2025

National Galleries of Scotland announces an unmissable programme of free and ticketed exhibitions set to take over the National, Portrait and Modern galleries in Edinburgh throughout 2025.

READ MORE
Warninks Advocaat brings a festive Christmas Lights recycling service to Edinburgh

Warninks Advocaat brings a festive Christmas Lights recycling service to Edinburgh

The Warninks ‘swap and recycle’ initiative is a FREE bookable service which delivers a Warninks Light Technician to your door, who will deliver new Christmas lights and recycle the old.

READ MORE
Thistle Be a Merry Little Christmas

Thistle Be a Merry Little Christmas

For one day only, on Saturday 7th December, Laura Bond and Thistle Street’s independent businesses will unite to offer exclusive holiday deals!

READ MORE
December at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

December at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

From a Christmas Cabaret to a Hogmanay Ball, discover Virgin Hotels Edinburgh's festive events this December!

READ MORE
Mindroom Celebrates Success Of Volunteering Scheme

Mindroom Celebrates Success Of Volunteering Scheme

Edinburgh Based Neurodiversity Charity Celebrates the Impact of its Vital Volunteer Programme ahead of International Volunteers Day (December 5).

READ MORE
Fort Kinnaird and Cyrenians call on local community to help spread festive cheer

Fort Kinnaird and Cyrenians call on local community to help spread festive cheer

Fort Kinnaird has teamed up with Cyrenians to launch a ‘Letters of Hope’ initiative, as part of the charity’s winter appeal to combat social isolation.

READ MORE
Cafe Andaluz Stockbridge reaches meatball milestone as it celebrates first birthday with Edinburgh Accies

Cafe Andaluz Stockbridge reaches meatball milestone as it celebrates first birthday with Edinburgh Accies

Café Andaluz Stockbridge celebrated one year at Raeburn Place by inviting the entire Accies team to tuck into its most popular dish, Albondigas (Spanish meatballs).

READ MORE
Coca Cola Christmas Truck Tour is heading to Edinburgh tomorrow

Coca Cola Christmas Truck Tour is heading to Edinburgh tomorrow

Holidays Are Coming! The Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour, will be parking up on Saturday 30th November, at Fort Kinnard, Edinburgh.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Escape The Past
Fayre Play
Kids Pass
Rabbies
Edinburgh Dungeons
ATG
Parkdean

Sponsored Links

Kevin Quantum
St Mary's Music School
Mowgli
Leith Makers
Open Pass Scotland
Kevin Quantum
Renfrewshire Council
Escape The Past
Fayre Play
Kids Pass
Rabbies
Edinburgh Dungeons
ATG
Parkdean

Popular Events

Edinburgh’s Christmas: The Polar Ice Bar
Take some time to ‘chill’ at the Polar Ice Bar, the coolest bar in the city, where your table, chairs and glasses are sculpted entirely from ice.
Cinderella
Join returning panto favourites Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young with a new magical pantomime for all the family at the Festival Theatre!
Christmas at the Botanics
Explore the sights and sounds of Christmas in this magical after dark experience when it returns to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh!
Dean T Beirne: Fated to Pretend (WIP)
Finalist for the BBC New Comedy Awards 2023 and star of Rosie Jones’ Comedy Disability Extravaganza, presents his debut, 'Fated to Pretend' at Monkey Barrel Comedy on Saturday 21st December!
The Musselburgh Comedy Night starring Jo Caulfield
Join us on 8th February at The Wiremill Social Club for the first Momentum Entertainment comedy show in Musselburgh since 2016, starring the fabulous Jo Caulfield!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall