This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/7019720.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Keepers hunt escaped chimpanzees Keepers shoot escaped chimpanzee
(about 3 hours later)
A pair of chimpanzees have escaped from Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire. Keepers have shot dead a chimp who escaped from his enclosure at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire.
The zoo was temporarily closed from about 1000 BST following the discovery that the animals had got out of their enclosure. The zoo was closed as staff tried to round up two chimps - called Jonnie and Coco - who escaped at about 1000 BST.
A spokesman said that as part of its standard escape procedure veterinary teams and the local police had been notified. Visitors already in the park were told to stay in their cars or were taken to secure locations.
He said the zoo knew the whereabouts of the animals and considering how best to get them back safely. Coco was recovered unharmed, but keepers were unable to capture Jonnie safely and he was shot, said a Whipsnade Zoo spokesman.
Procedures were followed by staff and in the interests of public safety, Jonnie was shot Whipsnade statement
An inquiry to find out how the pair, who were two of eight chimps at Whipsnade, got out of their three-year-old purpose built enclosure has started.
In a statement the zoo said: "As soon as members of staff were aware of the occurrence, the Escaped Animal Procedure was immediately commenced.
"All members of the public were led to safe and secure locations or instructed to remain in their vehicles."
Coco recaptured
The statement said there were no injuries to either staff or members of the public.
It added: "Keepers moved quickly to recapture the two chimpanzees, Jonnie and Coco.
"Procedures were followed by staff and in the interests of public safety, Jonnie was shot.
"Coco was quickly recaptured and is now safely in the hands of her keepers."
There were eight chimps at Whipsnade: 23-year-old Nicky, a male; Bonnie Louise who is 21; Zephyr, a 15-year-old male; Grant and Phil, both aged 11; Elvis, aged five, and Coco and Jonnie who were transferred from London Zoo in 2006.