May 28 (UPI) — Six rhesus macaque monkeys escaped in Witten, Germany, and three of the primates remain on the loose 24 hours later.
The monkeys escaped Wednesday from a rescue facility that recently took in 20 of the animals that were confiscated for animal welfare reasons.
Police confirmed monkey sightings have been reported across the city.
A witness captured video of one of the monkeys eluding capture by police and firefighters in a city cemetery.
Firefighter Ulli Gehrke said it was a unique way to spend his last day on the job before retirement.
“I’ve been with the fire department for 40 years now. There are things you don’t experience every day, and there are things you only experience once in your career,” he told West German Broadcasting.
The owner of the rescue facility said three of the monkeys were captured Thursday using traps baited with food.
A monkey of the same species was coincidentally spotted in a Florida woman’s backyard.
