A crazed chimpanzee went on the rampage after she escaped her enclosure and looted grub from – a zoo KITCHEN, it emerged today.
Josie, a female chimp, smashed pots and hurled food at staff after she barricaded herself in the kitchen area where keepers prepare the animals’ food.
Staff spent 40 minutes calming Josie down before coaxing her back into her enclosure at Twycross Zoo, Atherstone, Warks.
Staff say the public were never at risk after Josie escaped.
A zoo spokeswoman said: ”Josie decided she wanted an extra snack and managed to get into the back kitchen area within the chimpanzee building, where her food is usually prepared.
”We are not entirely sure how she managed it but a full investigation is under way.
”The team at Twycross Zoo does regular drills so we are well equipped to cope with any emergency that arises.
”We followed our emergency protocols and everything went according to plan.
”Twycross Zoo prides itself on taking great care of both our visitors and animals and therefore handled the situation with the utmost diligence.
”At no time were either Josie or the public in any danger.”