WMC-TV reports the primate, a macaque named Zimm, broke free around 4 p.m. Thursday.
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The zoo was filled with visitors when the monkey escaped, and some saw the 10-pound primate flee, local media reported.
Workers used large nets to try and catch Zimm to little success Friday, but also kept a sharp eye on the culverts throughout the zoo.
Zookeepers say Zimm got into a drainage ditch connected to the zoo’s infrastructure.
Zoo officials never lost sight of Zimm, but they did move zoo visitors to an inside location to make sure nobody was in danger. Thursday and Friday night, zookeepers put down traps baited with fresh produce to try to coax her out.
“We were in the panda section and they said ‘quick get in doors!” “We will hold that exhibit empty until we’re able to do modifications to be as certain as we can be that animals will be contained in that exhibit”.
“Our animal staff is on 24-hour Zimm watch”, said Zoo spokeswoman Laura Doty.
“Unfortunately, she’s out, but being in the culvert, she’s contained”, Thompson told the Commercial Appeal. “Because she’s out of her comfort zone, she’s scared”.
Other zoo staff said Zimm is a primate with personality. She’s OK, and we’ll have more details soon.
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“She’s a young, very spirited monkey”.
