Parachutist lands in ape enclosure at Ouwehands zoo

A file photo of bonobos. Photo: Depositphotos.com

A parachutist on Saturday landed in the ape enclosure at Ouwehands zoo by mistake, after missing his target at a nearby football club.

The bonobos who live in the enclosure were indoors at the times because it was too cold for them to be outside.

“Luckily, it worked out all right,” said director Robin de Lange. “He could have ended up in the African elephants’ enclosure or among the lions and tigers.”

There is a no-fly zone above the zoo.

A second parachutist was found injured in nearby woods. She was injured and taken to hospital.

As yet no one has said why the jump went wrong. Both parachutists should have landed in the middle of a new pitch at the Candia 66 sports grounds a few hundred metres away as part of the festive opening.

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