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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Members of the public have been warned not to approach a wild capuchin monkey that escaped from a sanctuary in Co Wicklow earlier this week.
The 24-year-old capuchin monkey, named Charlie, escaped from the Monkey Sanctuary Ireland in Rathdrum and is described as being "young", "fit" and "a great tree climber" by sanctuary manager, Willie Heffernan.
As one of 14 ex-laboratory animals, Charlie travelled to Ireland from Edinburgh University 22 years ago. Due to his age at the time, he was not neutered.
“He arrived here 22 years ago. He was only two years old when he arrived. So, normally they all get spayed, all the males, but he slipped the knife," explained Mr Heffernan to RTÉ Radio One on Saturday.
As Charlie has matured, his interest in the opposite sex increased, leading to issues with other animals at the sanctuary.
"So, there’s three old monkeys on the island next to him, females - they’re actually in their mid-60s, if you can believe it.
"He was harassing them so I tried to move him and this other male he was with on his island," Mr Heffernan said.
"I got one off and then when I went down to get him, he had jumped ship... Then, he never came back."
As to Charlie's current whereabouts, Mr Heffernan fears he may have ventured into nearby Avondale National Park.
“So, I'm afraid he may have made it into Avondale. Then, there’s a whole forest stretching from Laragh down to Arklow, so he’s plenty of woodland to be in.
“He’s excited when he thinks Wicklow is full of female young monkeys, that is probably what he is out looking for.
"He lived out on the island for 20 years and I’ve seen him catching grey squirrels, small birds and frogs so he’s able to get plenty of protein into him.”
Explaining that Charlie is not a pet or used to human interaction, Mr Heffernan said: “He’s not a pet and I’ve never petted him, because they’re all ex-laboratory animals. They came from Edinburgh University.
"I’ll only put the food on the island by pulley, so there’s very little human interaction. They just live amongst themselves.
Anyone who spots Charlie is urged to contact Willie at the sanctuary or their local Garda station.
“I’ve got a tranquilising dart so I can easily get him and bring him home," the manager concluded.
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