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One of two chimpanzees - mother and daughter - that escaped from the Oasis zoo in La Orotava, Tenerife yesterday lunchtime went on to wreak havoc in the Los Rechazos bar nearby until it was recaptured after more than two hours by Guardia Civil officers.

Around twenty lunchtime customers were shocked when the chimp entered the bar at around 2pm - immediately running off into the kitchen where it suffered a small burn and cut to its leg.

Resisting all attempts to restrain it, the startled creature went on a path of destruction, destroying a stainless steel shelving unit and breaking a TV set.
Both Chimps were finally detained and led back to their cells by the Guardia Civil.

When questioned by a reporter from Tenerife Marketing the officer said that no charges would be pressed against the two Chimps.

Tenerife has proved to be a top holiday choice with families, according to one industry expert.

Overseas property specialist David Stanley Redfern said that the Canary Island had attracted as many as 1.5 million tourists during 2007.

Head of international research for the firm, Liam Bailey, said: "The Canary Islands are the happy medium we are all looking for.

"Tenerife's popularity over the year, and the economy's reliance on its tourism sector, means the infrastructure is well developed and a wide range of activities are on offer."

While on the island, holidaymakers can enjoy a range of sporting activities, including surfing, snorkelling, diving, and abseiling, to name a few.

Travel website Tenerife-Marketing.Com says that the diverse range of wildlife on the island makes it a "nature lover's utopia" and a "sun-seeker's dream".

Centuries ago, the island, which is located just 100 kilometres north of Africa, was described by ancient Greek poet Homer as a "garden of astounding beauty".