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Anarchy. Rebellion. High drama.

It was all happening at San Antonio International Airport, where a crafty, incredibly frightened rhesus macaque was on the loose after escaping from its transport crate on Monday afternoon.

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According to local CNN affiliate KSAT, the primate fugitive, identified as Dawkins, was in transit after an American Airlines flight from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, via Chicago.

Dawkins' destination? The Born Free USA sanctuary in La Salle County, Texas, which claims to be one of the country’s largest primate sanctuaries.

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Many outlets initially reported Dawkins as a baboon, but the CEO of Born Free USA, Prashant Khetan, identified the renegade as their future resident rhesus macaque.

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So, how did this happen? According to KSAT, Dawkins made his escape from a transportation crate while being moved to cargo.

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Dawkins wandered around the cargo bay of the airport before handlers cornered him in the Terminal B baggage handling area. That's where they tranquillized the poor animal, and Dawkins' wild ride was over.

Airport spokesman Rich Stinson told AP that Dawkins didn't go near human travelers during the whole shenanigan, and that the activity was confined to a secure baggage area.

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In a statement, American Airlines officials said that Dawkins had been captured and was back on course to the sanctuary.

"American Airlines, the San Antonio Aviation Department and officials from the San Antonio Zoo all worked in conjunction to ensure his safety and wellbeing as he continues his journey to his new home," the airline said in a later statement.

Later that day, Born Free USA announced that Dawkins had arrived safely at the sanctuary.

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What a rush.

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TopicsAnimals