Keepers shot dead a chimp who escaped from his enclosure at Whipsnade Zoo on Saturday morning.

The parkland wildlife site was closed to the public as staff tried to round up two escaped chimpanzees, called Jonnie and Coco.

Visitors already in the park were instructed to stay in their cars or taken to secure locations.

Although Coco was recovered unharmed, keepers could not capture Jonnie safely and he was shot.

An inquiry to find out how the pair, two of eight chimps at Whipsnade, got out of their purpose-built enclosure is already under way.

A Whipsnade spokesman said: "As soon as members of staff were aware of the occurrence, the Escaped Animal Procedure was immediately commenced.

"Keepers moved quickly to recapture the two chimpanzees. Procedures were followed by staff and in the interests of public safety, Jonnie was shot.

"Coco was quickly recaptured and is now safely in the hands of her keepers."

Whipsnade Zoo

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