Escaped monkey on the loose in Christchurch

Christchurch residents are being warned to be on the alert for a small, hairy and intelligent escapee from the city's Willowbank Wildlife Reserve.

Police said that one of the reserve's Capuchin monkeys was on the loose, and likely to be looking for food and shelter.

Inspector John Doherty said staff were moving the monkeys to a new enclosure on Wednesday when one managed to escape.

They had not been able to locate it on the premises and a letter drop has been done with the neighbours in the area.

The monkey, small, and brownish-black in colour, was not considered harmful but should not be approached, Mr Doherty said.

- NZPA