ANOTHER MONKEY RECAPTURED

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 125, 20 February 1941, Page 6

ANOTHER MONKEY RECAPTURED

Newtown Zoo Staff’s Chase

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST WAR EMERGENCY

Due of the monkeys which escaped from the Wellington Zoo, ami was still at large yesterday, was recaptured when il was chased into a public lavatory. Only two still remain at liberty.

No particular baste is being shown by the z.oo authorities in endeavouring to recapture these two, because it is realized that if they were frightened, or became suspicious, they would at once move their quarters to some other group of trees, where they would perhaps be harder to capture. Asked yesterday whether any precautionary measures had been taker, at the zoo io prevent the escape of dangerous animals in the event of Wei iington being bombed or shelled, the curator, Mr. J. C. Cutler, said that full precautions had been taken. The zoo had its own emergency organization and every member knew exactly what to do if the need arose. Tlie only dangerous animals were the lions, tigers, leopards and pumas, aud rhe polar bears. If they were to escape, they would immediately be shot. The zoo authorities were well provided with firearms. Mr. Cutler pointed out that it would not be necessary to kill all this valuable stock simply because of the risk of its escaping. Even in London, where the danger was much greater than here, no such drastic steps had been taken, the only animals which had been destroyed had been the poisonous snakes and spiders. The risk of the animals escaping even if bombs or shells fell in the zoo grounds, was not very great. Wrought, iron and reinforced concrete took a good deal of shattering, except by a direct hit, which would probably kill or maim the beast concerned. In any case, said Mr. Cutler, full plans had been prepared for some time to cope with any emergency of the kind.