Brave Livvie the monkey jumped from a pony's back to escape Sydney circus and hangout in the trees... only to return a few hours later

  • A monkey escaped from a circus in southern Sydney on Sunday
  • It jumped from a pony's back to run free after a trainer left a gate ajar
  • Named Livvie, it is believed she was busy climbing nearby trees
  • Her owners confirmed Livvie's breakout lasted a few hours

By AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS and RYAN LIPMAN

Published: | Updated:

It could be her most daring performance to date - the moment Livvie the monkey momentarly turned her back on circus life by jumping off a pony's back to make a brave dash for the outside world.

The 23-year-old rhesus macaque from the Lennon Bros Circus made a run for it from Cahill Park in  Arncliffe, located Sydney's southern suburbs, on Sunday.

St George Police Inspector Rob Stark said a trainer had left a gate at the circus ajar and Livvie 'tasted freedom'.

Livvie, a rhesus macaque, escaped from Lennon Bros Circus at Cahill Park in Arncliffe, located Sydney's southern suburbs, on Sunday for a few hours. Pictured is a stock image

Livvie, a rhesus macaque, escaped from Lennon Bros Circus at Cahill Park in Arncliffe, located Sydney's southern suburbs, on Sunday for a few hours. Pictured is a stock image

'Livvie obviously got excited, saw the door was ajar, jumped off the pony's back and off she went,' he said.

But taking her chance to flee the circus, which also tours with camels, lions and donkeys, it did not take long for Levvie to decide freedom was not for her.


Police feared Livvie was still on the run on Monday afternoon, but her owners have since assured AAP the monkey's breakout lasted only a few hours.

Jan Lennon said Livvie seized her chance when a trainer was returning her pal, Bubbles the pony-rider, to his cage.

Police warned people not to touch Livvie during her escape because she would bite

Police warned people not to touch Livvie during her escape because she would bite

'He turned his back and she took off through the door,' she said. 'A bit of a panic set in for a while (but) she couldn't have been too far away.'

During her escape police warned people not to touch Livvie if they spotted her. 'You're not supposed to touch her because when she is scared, she will bite,' Insp Stark said.

At the time Police believed the adventurous monkey was busy enjoying the many trees around Cahill Park and along with the owners, were confident she would return home when hungry.

A Twitter account with handle Livvie the Macaque was created following news of the escape, with the bio reading: I escaped! And I'll do it again! Just you watch me. (Might be a parody account).

During the day hilarious tweets were posted, including the first about Livvie's new found freedom. 'FREE AT LAST! #LivvieTheCircusMonkey.'

A Livvie the Macaque Twitter account was created hours after the escape

A Livvie the Macaque Twitter account was created hours after the escape

Throughout the day the account kept people amused with hilarious updates

Throughout the day the account kept people amused with hilarious updates

The latest circus escape comes on the back of three camels which escaped from a circus in Narre Warren in south east Melbourne earlier this month.

Police found the animals near a service station on the Princess Highway after reports of an unusual traffic hazard and on arrival, they found the three hungry animals eating trees at about 4am.

The animals were kept off the road until the owner arrived from the circus, further up the highway.

Officers attending could not resist the opportunity to pose for selfies with the trio and the camels were later returned safely to the circus.

Three camels escaped from a circus in Narre Warren in south east Melbourne earlier this month

Three camels escaped from a circus in Narre Warren in south east Melbourne earlier this month

Police could not turn down the chance to take a selfie with the escaped animals, which were found eating trees
Police could not turn down the chance to take a selfie with the escaped animals, which were found eating trees

Police could not turn down the chance to take a selfie with the escaped animals, which were found eating trees



Sydney

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