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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8042705.stm

Ape escapes, then 'changes mind' 


An orangutan used a branch to short-circuit a security fence and escape from 
an Australian zoo, only to change her mind and return to her enclosure. 

Karta, a 27-year-old primate, cleared one fence and began piling up debris to 
scale a wall at Adelaide Zoo. 

Visitors who witnessed the escape alerted staff, and the zoo was promptly 
evacuated and closed for the day. 

But Karta spent less than 30 minutes on the loose before apparently thinking 
better of her escape attempt. 

Zoo curator Peter Whitehead told reporters the ape seemed to realise she was 
in a place where she should not have been. 

"She's actually hung on to the wall and dropped back into the exhibit," he 
said. 

It was not the first time Karta had caused a headache for the zookeepers. 

"You're talking about an animal that's highly intelligent," Mr Whitehead 
said. 

"We've had issues with her before in normal day-to-day operations where she 
tries to outsmart the keepers. She's an ingenious animal." 

The zoo offered a refund to visitors after closing down for the day, but few 
zoo-goers seemed flustered by the drama. 

Ryan Johnston, 11, told ABC News he had seen Karta's escape, and described it 
as "amazing".