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Monkey business, all in a day’s work for zoo staff

News Featured news Brooklands Zoo
PUBLISHED: 10 SEPT 2025
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The quick-thinking and professional response of NPDC’s Brooklands Zoo staff has been praised after capturing one of the zoo’s capuchin monkeys escaping from its habitat.

On 31 July, Churi, managed to briefly exit his habitat due to broken mesh caused by rust.

Churi, the father of two recently born baby capuchin, discovered this weakness to create a hole large enough to exit the habitat. But thanks to the zoo’s observant team and well-rehearsed non-dangerous animal escape procedure, Churi was quickly and safely secured by trained staff.

“This incident highlights the professionalism and preparedness of our zoo team,” said NPDC Parks and Open Spaces Manager Conrad Pattison.  “Their rapid response ensured the safety of Churi without any fuss to the public.”

The rusted area was not raised for monitoring in the most recent structural review conducted by external engineers in September 2024.  

Immediate repairs were carried out and the zoo has since taken proactive steps to try to prevent future incidents and included removing vegetation so it was easier to identify any holes with the naked eye and reinforcing areas of the habitat’s mesh.  

Last year, the Mayor and Councillors included funding for a more detailed upgrade of some of the enclosures to ensure they continue to meet national standards, in NPDC’s 2024-2034 10-year Plan. Work is programmed for 2029/2030.

Brooklands Zoo is approved as a Containment Facility under the Biosecurity Act 1993.  MPI was notified of the breach.

Fast facts:

  • Brooklands Zoo is part of a regional managed breeding programme for tufted capuchins through the Zoo and Aquarium Association.
  • Nearly 140,000 people visit Brooklands Zoo every year.
  • The zoo is a MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) approved facility, and a Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) welfare accredited member.

Caption: This little cutie’s dad, Churi, enjoyed a short-lived escape from his enclosure recently.  The Tufted capuchin youngster, born last month, is pictured with mum Amani.

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Page last updated: 11:10am Wed 10 September 2025

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