Colombian police kill escaped chimps Pancho and Chita

BOGOTA, Columbia - Two chimpanzees that had escaped from a zoo in Colombia were shot dead on Monday, police said, after an alert to be issued to nearby residents.

The primates escaped on Sunday night from the Ukumari Biopark in the western city of Pereira, prompting a warning to residents to stay indoors.

Several hours later, police said they found the male chimp Pancho about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) from the zoo, alone.

He was shot after he appeared to lunge for a zookeeper among the rescue team, police official Alexandra Diaz told Blu Radio.

"There was an imminent need to act to safeguard the life of the park official," said Diaz, who added an order had been issued to shoot in case of an attack, rather than using tranquilizer darts.

Chita, a female who had escaped with Pancho, was killed near the park, said Diaz, without providing further details.

The park in a statement lamented the loss of two animals that "stole the heart of all visitors."

Local media reported that human error was to blame for the apes escaping.

Pancho, who was about 22 years old, had previously escaped from captivity in 2007, causing havoc at the Pereira airport and grounding air traffic for several hours.

Animal rights groups have asked for a criminal investigation into the deaths. - AFP