A DECISION by zoo officials to shoot dead an escaped chimpanzee has been backed by a council report.

Environmental health managers said it was an "understandable but difficult" choice to make in the circumstances.

But inspectors have called for improvements to the enclosure involved and a review of some security procedures.

The chimp, an adult female called Mischa, escaped from her outside enclosure at Flamingo Land theme park and zoo, near Malton, North Yorkshire, last December.

The report, by Steven Richmond, environmental health manager at Ryedale District Council, said the escape was noticed in seconds by a keeper, who raised the alarm.

Zoo staff were evacuated from the area and an animal capture team was put together. No members of the public were on the site at the time.

It is believed the chimp swung on to the overhanging guttering of the enclosure by using the hinges and bolts on the large steel doors and a small depression in the rendering.

Once out in the open, she climbed a metal column that supports a monorail track.

The capture team tried to coax the chimp down, but she became lost in the heavy fog.

A short time later, she was found on the roof of the lion house. The zoo vet then tried to tranquillise her using a dart gun.

Mr Richmond said: "The animal reacted badly, became aggressive and the health and safety of the three individuals was compromised. With human health and safety at risk, the understandable but difficult decision to shoot the chimpanzee was made."

Immediately after the incident, the management at the zoo installed a large, smooth metal overhang to the chimp enclosure. The door bolts and hinges are now attached internally to remove any possible handholds.

Independent zoo inspector Michael Fielding, who also investigated, has recommended that a blind spot in the enclosure is removed by using mirrors or CCTV and that a system of back-up checks for sequential door closures be introduced. Zoo managers are now acting on his advice.

Mr Fielding said: "Chimpanzees are extremely strong and physically agile. They also have a degree of reasoning capability which allows them to seek out and learn any weak spots in working routines or enclosure fitments.

"Having done so, they will at some time exploit this knowledge with varying consequences."

Flamingo Land refused to comment on the report.