A View Of A Break For It

There are only 35-50 thousand macaques left on the planet. No wonder they want to break free.

Moving can be stressful. Packing the bags, labeling the boxes, changing neighborhoods - it's enough to make one just want to run away from it all.

It certainly did for a Japanese macaque in Roanoke, VA. During her family's move to new digs at Roanoke City Mill Mountain Zoo, she finally couldn't take it anymore and left. She's nearby, but hasn't come home yet.

Her family and the museum's curator, David Jobe, are doing everything they can to get her to come home. "We hope that because (macaques are) active in the daytime, she slept last night and woke up this morning hungry. We hope to take advantage of a hungry monkey."

The zoo and surrounding park are closed as the search for Oops (named for the fact that she was conceived even though the others in her pack were not expected to reproduce - a name that no doubt added to her stress) continues. Residents in the area have been advised to call 911 if she's spotted and not try to capture her on their own.

Did you know that macaques are one of only three mammals who are known to wash their food before eating? Maybe this one got a hold of some of those tainted Chicago M&Ms.

Hungry, cornered macaques can be a bit cranky. Hope she enjoys her vacation and gets a clean snack.

More to come later.