Zookeepers wielding pieces of melon have lured back two escaped monkeys to their home in a Transylvanian zoo, but three more are still believed to be on the run in a nearby forest.

Andras Kopacz, curator of the Targu Mures zoo in central Romania, said the five Japanese macaques gnawed a hole in their fence last week and escaped into an oak forest. Two were recaptured by zookeepers with pieces of melon and are said to be in good condition.

Two adults and a cub are still on the loose, Mr Kopacz said, adding he was confident they would be brought back soon.

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