A red-rumped lemur managed to escape from a zoo located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and traveled several roads and tram lines before finding safe refuge in a tree. The incident occurred last Friday, June 29, generating concern among residents and authorities.
The animal, which escaped on Friday afternoon from the Artis Zoo, was spotted approximately 90 minutes later on a branch, a few blocks away, on a street. The lemur’s quick movement surprised those passing by.
Local authorities indicated that the lemur crossed several busy streets, including one that had tram tracks. There were reports that the primate was nearly hit by a taxi during its journey through the city, heightening the urgency of the rescue.
“The situation certainly caused immense stress for the animal,” commented Maartje de Vries, representative of the zoo, in a statement to the newspaper Het Parool. Traveling through urban areas poses a considerable risk for animals accustomed to the controlled environment of captivity.
The lemur was positioned on a branch about six meters high. Faced with the difficulty of rescuing, zoo staff chose to use a tranquilizer dart before beginning the operation to bring him safely to the ground.
“Removing the animal from the tree with a ladder truck was not a viable option,” de Vries explained. She highlighted that a red-rumped lemur is not used to this type of interaction, which could scare it and make it run away again, further complicating the situation.
The exact way in which the lemur managed to leave its enclosure has not yet been established, as reported by de Vries. She hypothesized that recent high temperatures in the region could have contributed to the primate’s escape behavior, a factor that can affect the well-being and behavior of several animals in captivity, influencing their willingness to explore or seek new conditions.
The zoo reported that the animal apparently did not suffer serious injuries. However, he will undergo a full evaluation with a veterinarian before being reintegrated into his habitat at Artis Zoo, ensuring that his health is in perfect condition.
