A monkey is on the loose in County Cork following a daring escape from Fota Wildlife Park.  

The black and white colobus monkey broke out of his enclosure on Tuesday evening.

There have been a number of sightings of the mischievous monkey in the hours since - and it is believed he is currently in the trees close to the park.

In a statement, the park said it expects the monkey will be "rescued very soon and safely returned to his home."

While the monkey does not pose any safety risk - the public has been warned not to approach him.

"Colobus Monkeys are originally from the cool mountain forests of Kenya," said a park spokesperson. "They eat fruits, vegetables, and willow branches."

"We are constantly reviewing our animal welfare policies here at Fota Wildlife Park, so that we can continue to improve our  animal and visitors’ experiences and ensure that the animals who live here can continue to thrive."

Anyone who spots the monkey is urged to contact Fota Wildlife Park on 021 481 26 78.