The BBC's John McIntyre: Going bananas in Taipei

As the 10 stone pet went bananas, the emergency services were forced to evacuate the area.

As people fled, the angry orangutan knocked down motorcycles and shook the gates of homes.

Don't rattle my cage

Officials feared the orangutan, who is known for his temper, could become violent and pose a danger to anyone who came near him.

So A-Yung left free to roam, pushing over motorcycles parked along the road. .

Even his keeper Chen stayed at a safe distance from the animal as he tried to calm him down.

Chen, who has owned the orangutan as a pet for many years, blamed the outburst on the animal's loneliness.

A-Yung's moments of freedom were finally brought to an end when zoo staff fired an anaesthetic dart at him.