Ape escape caught on tape!
Photo copyright: Splash
Five chimps escape from zoo enclosureFootage of the moment five chimpanzees broke out of their enclosure using a ladder they had fashioned together out of tree branches has emerged.
The incident happened at Experience Zoo, in Hanover, Germany and caught on camera by visitor Kai Hauser. The primates mingled with the 2,500 tourists, getting a taste of life on the other side of the fence.
Mr Hauser was walking with his girlfriend and her sister’s family towards the enclosure area called ‘Gorilla Hills’ when they heard loud screaming, but of the human variety.
He said: “Nobody saw anything, only the loud screaming from the chimps that came through the bushes, so it was frightening and everyone on the way stopped walking and was looking around with open mouths.”
He continued: “'Then we heard a woman behind the bushes shouting, ‘Oh no! Stop, come back’. A few seconds later one chimp came around the corner - he was very relaxed and walked up to a man and gave him a hug. The chimp looked like he wanted to kiss him... but then he opened his mouth revealing his big teeth and we feared he could bite his chin off.” Much to everyone's relief the chimp let go of the man and walked off, Mr Hauser said.
Four of the five chimps - seven in total live in the enclosure - tasted freedom and decided they didn’t like it much and wandered back to the enclosure on their own.
An enquiry is now underway to determine what happened. The zoo could be faced with a huge bill for the fleet of police, ambulances and fire engines that raced to the scene.
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
