Gibbon called Darwin sparks panic after escaping from its enclosure at Leicestershire zoo
Bank Holiday visitors to Twycross Zoo were told to head to the exits due to a 'health and safety' emergency
A BUSY ZOO was locked down today after a gibbon called Darwin escaped from its enclosure.
Bank Holiday visitors to Twycross Zoo, in Leicestershire, were told to make their way to safety shortly after 10am due to a "health and safety" emergency.
The zoo has now issued a statement confirming the drama - which ended after 20 minutes.
Dr Sharon Redrobe OBE, CEO for Twycross said: "As a precaution, and as part of our standard procedure, we temporarily closed the zoo this morning due to one of our gibbons being in an area he shouldn't be in.
"Our animal team were in control of the situation at all times and at no time were any visitors, animals or team members in any danger.
"The zoo reopened within 20 minutes and we are now back to normal operation with our guests continuing to enjoy the sunny bank holiday weekend with us."
It is believed the powerful Siamang gibbon had somehow escaped from its compound.
Twycross has the largest collection of monkeys and apes in the Western World.
Visitors took to social media to report this morning's drama.
Bradley Darkes tweeted: "An exciting visit already! I've only been here 15mins and an animal has escaped. Hope they are returned safe."
Murray Williams added: "Just sitting in the car on the road outside @TwycrossZoo - heard announcement: an animal has escaped! Not sure how long before they let us in."
MattSuff77 said on Twitter: “Currently at and we are on lock down due an escaped siamang! I’m currently locked in the lorikeets enclosure.”
The Zoo replied: "Hi, we have a delay in opening today. Everything is in hand so sit tight and we will get you in as soon as we can. Team TZ."
One visitor revealed: “We just arrived at the zoo and about to go in when we were all told to get into the restaurant for health and safety reasons.
“It had only just opened but they called people back. Doors leading into the zoo have been closed and everyone is in the Himalaya Centre.”
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Visitors at the zoo said the gates to the attraction were closed 20 minutes after opening.
Siamang are larger than their gibbon relatives. They have long black fur and adults have a throat sac that is used to call over long distances.
They also have long arms that they use to hang from branches and swing through trees.