Escaped zoo monkey recaptured

TUPELO, Miss., Aug. 7 (UPI) -- A white-faced capuchin monkey that escaped from the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo in Tupelo, Miss., has been found and returned to his pen.

Oliver the monkey was spotted by a motorist Monday morning, nearly a week after he unlocked his cage and went on the run July 31, the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal in Tupelo reported Tuesday.

Mike Fair said he saw "the little bitty ol' monkey" as he was driving to work with his son and a friend Monday morning.

"We pulled over," Fair said, "and he took off to the edge of the woods, and that's when we called 911."

The three men joined in the hunt for Oliver when park officials and Tupelo firefighters arrived at the scene.

"We are just happy he is home," said park manager Kirk Nemecheck. "He's a smart little monkey, and I know he can take care of himself, but my biggest fear was that he would be hit by a car."