Monkey Escape: Quick Safety Steps and What to Do

A monkey loose in a neighbourhood or on a farm is stressful and can be dangerous. Stay calm and follow clear steps so people, pets and the animal stay safe. This guide gives practical actions you can take right now and easy prevention tips for next time.

Immediate actions: stay safe now

Keep a safe distance. Monkeys can bite or scratch if they feel cornered. Back away slowly and don’t run — sudden moves can trigger chasing.

Do not feed or try to touch the animal. Food encourages it to return and makes it bolder around people.

Move children and pets indoors or into cars. If a pet is already loose, call it calmly; avoid shouting or waving arms, which can scare both the pet and the monkey.

Close doors, windows and gates on your property to give the monkey fewer places to enter. If the animal is inside a building, open an exit route and leave the room to let it go out on its own.

Keep clear sightlines. If you can safely watch from a distance, note the animal’s size, colour and behaviour. That helps wildlife services identify species and plan capture or relocation.

Contact the right people. Call your local municipality, wildlife rescue, SPCA or game rangers. If you don’t know the number, phone the non-emergency municipal line and ask for animal control or wildlife services.

After the escape: reports, risks and next steps

Report any bites or scratches to a clinic right away. Even minor wounds can get infected and may need rabies checks or antibiotics.

File an incident report with local authorities so they can log the event and respond. Include time, place and any photos or videos you took from a safe distance.

If the animal damaged property or livestock, document losses with photos for officials and insurance claims. Keep receipts for veterinary care or repairs.

Know the legal side. In many areas, handling, trapping or moving wild animals without permission is illegal. Leave capture and relocation to trained teams.

For drivers: slow down and keep an eye on the roadside. Monkeys often use trees above roads or cross quickly. Brake gently and avoid swerving.

For parents: teach kids not to approach wild animals, even if they look tame. Show them how to call adults and get to a safe spot.

For pet owners: keep food and bowls inside when monkeys are nearby. Consider temporary indoor-only rules until the situation is resolved.

For farmers and gardeners: secure poultry and fruit with mesh or netting. Electric fencing, proper gates and locked bins for crops and feed reduce attractants.

If escapes repeat, work with neighbours and local authorities to find long-term solutions like wildlife-proof bins, community awareness, and humane deterrents. Simple changes often stop repeat visits.

Keep contact numbers for municipal animal control and a local wildlife rescue saved on your phone. That’s the fastest way to get help when a monkey escape happens.

Want a quick checklist you can print? Save these steps: keep distance, secure people and pets, call wildlife services, document the event, and fix weak spots that invited the animal. Small actions now make a big difference later.