Wily Orangutan aborts 'ingenious' zoo escape

updated 12:01 p.m. ET May 11, 2009

ADELAIDE, Australia - Despite a meticulously executed plan, an Australian orangutan was apparently on the fence about her great escape.

Officials evacuated the zoo after 27-year-old Karta short-circuited an electric fence by jamming a stick into wires connected to it. She then piled up debris to climb a concrete and glass wall.

Veterinarians stood by armed with tranquilizer guns just in case. But her run for it was short-lived. After sitting on the fence for about 30 minutes she climbed back into her enclosure.

The zoo describes Karta as "ingenious" and says she's tried to outsmart her keepers in the past.

Because of her brazen escape attempt, officials plan to clear her enclosure of any vegetation she could use in the future for another bid for freedom.

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