Baboon escapes from crate at San Antonio airport

SAN ANTONIO, TX - The phrase "monkeying around" has new meaning after a baboon escaped from its cage Monday afternoon at San Antonio International Airport, KABB reports.

The crafty baboon was reportedly running around an isolated baggage area where animals are checked after coming off a flight.

The animal was on an American Airlines flight from Chicago when it escaped its crate, KABB reported.

American Airlines issued the following statement:

"After the arrival of American Airlines 1014 from Chicago O'Hare, a monkey that was en route to a local animal sanctuary and refuge in the San Antonio-area inadvertently became free of his cage. He is currently in an isolated area where it is safe, away from all of our team members and customers.

We are working closely with the San Antonio Aviation Department and officials from the San Antonio Zoo. Officials from the zoo are now onsite to ensure his safety and wellbeing as he continues his journey to his new home at the primate sanctuary."

Officials from the San Antonio Zoo were called on scene to ensure the animal's safety.

"While the primate did not belong to the zoo, we felt it was our responsibility to provide expertise in handling the safe recovering of this animal," The San Antonio Zoo tweeted.

The baboon was caught after being shot with a tranquilizer, according to KABB.