False baboon escape alert prompts Melbourne Zoo lockdown

Tourists were left in lockdown in an orang-utan viewing area at the Melbourne Zoo after an emergency alert caused the zoo to think a baboon had escaped.

Melbourne Zoo was locked down after a false emergency alert that a baboon had escaped was issued. Picture: David Caird

Tourists have been left trapped in an orang-utan viewing area at the Melbourne Zoo after an emergency alert caused the zoo to think a baboon had escaped.

A zoo patron who had travelled to Melbourne from Darwin said it wasn’t the day they were expecting when they went to the zoo.

The family of four were looking at the animals when they noticed a worker rushing to tourists.

“There was a lady going around saying ‘can you all get in the enclosure, there’s a baboon on the loose’,” the Darwin mum said.

Dozens of people were trapped in the orang-utan viewing area for about 10 to 15 minutes while the zoo tracked down the alleged missing monkey.

Crowds leave an orangutan enclosure after a baboon got loose at Melbourne Zoo. Picture: Supplied.

“How funny,” the Darwin mum said, noting she didn’t mind the disruption to her day.

“It was only 15 minutes — I’d rather not get attacked by a baboon!

“It was a fun adventure.”

Kids were happy looking at the orangutans while trapped when a baboon got loose at Melbourne Zoo. Picture: Supplied.

Crowds leave an orangutan enclosure. Picture: Supplied.

However, the zoo’s lockdown lifted after about 10 minutes.

“Melbourne Zoo went into lockdown for less than 10 minutes this arvo when an Emergency Alert was mistakenly activated,” the zoo said in a statement.

“There was no emergency and visitors were able to continue enjoying their Zoo visit.”

Melbourne Zoo’s Hamadryas baboons are on the main trail through the park.

According to the zoo’s website, in the north east African savannah, “baboons come together in troops of up to 400 animals”.

Quilton, the Hamadryas Baboon, born at Melbourne Zoo during Australia's great toilet paper crisis of 2020. Picture: Zoos Victoria

“Each baboon’s role within the extended family is reinforced through constant interactions,” the zoo’s website states.

“Other social cues include their pink posteriors, with an enlarged, bright rear signalling the dominant male.”

Baboons are generally indifferent to humans, but they do attack when provoked, and are potentially very dangerous because of their sharp teeth and claws.

Melbourne Zoo has been contacted for comment.