Welcome home Betty!
Monday 31 July 2006
Zoo keepers are making a special fuss of Betty this week, the wayward squirrel monkey whose mini-adventure hit the headlines.
The mischievous monkey decided to take advantage of an overhanging branch in her enclosure to leap into trees in Regent’s Park for a look around – much to the amusement of passers-by who gathered to watch her hopping from tree to tree.
Other members of the group followed her, but were soon encouraged back into the Meet the Monkeys walk-through exhibit by keepers while Betty stubbornly remained in the park’s chestnut trees.
Even pop star Rachel Stevens and radio DJ Chris Evans stopped to watch her antics during the day, but the gathering paparazzi were only interested in the star of the show – Betty.
As predicted by her keepers, Betty decided to head back to the exhibit once it got dark and tree surgeons got to work straight away to get rid of the overhanging branches.
She was given her favourite fruit and coconut as a welcome home treat from keepers.