Monkey unlocks pen, escapes, eludes zoo staff

Miss. officials: 'Oliver' can outrun horses, 'he will bite,' susceptible to bait

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updated 9:08 p.m. ET July 31, 2007

TUPELO, Miss. - The Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo asked residents Tuesday to help in the recovery of a white-faced capuchin monkey that apparently managed to unlock his pen and escape.

Oliver freed himself at about 8 a.m. and led park staff on a chase through the park's trail system before eventually eluding them.

Park employee Ann Stewart said Oliver will respond to his own name and may take bait of bananas, marshmallows or grapes. She urged people to call the park if they spot the mammal.

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"He will bite. People around here have handled him, but he will bite. Just call the Buffalo Park," Stewart said.

Oliver is a nine-year-old capuchin, a species of monkey native to South and Central America.

Stewart believes Oliver could be in the Country Club or Colonial Estates areas, but said the monkey could have traveled much farther given his ability for speed.

"He could outrun the horses," she said in a DJournal.com article. "You can't catch him. If he doesn't want to be caught you can't catch him."