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There have been a large number of reports from Twitter that a gorilla has escaped it's enclosure at London Zoo.

Details first surfaced at around 5.30pm that the animal had escaped at the zoo in Regent's Park.

Video has emerged of zoo keepers appearing to search for the animal holding weapons.

Visitors were told to get inside and some have been kept their for their own safety.

One visitor tweeted: "Gorrilla on the loose? Huddling in a building at the London Zoo after staff told us to get into a building."

A police helicopter has also been spotted in the area of the zoo.

Another Twitter user said: "Locked in London Zoo because a gorilla is loose".

For live updates of the incident see our live blog below.

Time to close the blog

With police confirming the gorilla has been caught, now seems a good time to close the blog.

For the full story on the escape and capture of the gorilla you can click here.

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Police confirm incident is over

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed the escaped gorilla has been captured using a tranquilliser dart.

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'Not cages'

Some people have taken the opportunity to champion animal rights.

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'Managing an incident'

London Zoo previously said it is “managing an incident” following the reports of an escaped gorilla

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'Gorilla tranquillised' '

More reports that the gorilla has been captured. LBC say animal was subdued by a tranquilliser dart.

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Reports the animal has been caught

There are reports on Twitter that the gorilla has now been caught.

It is not been confirmed and there are no details about how it was captured.

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Statement from police

The Metropolitan Police have released the following statement: “Police were called by security at Regent’s Park at 5.17pm to reports of an ongoing incident.

“Officers are there to support ZSL staff.”

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Zoo said to be locked down

Photos from the scene at London Zoo. It is said to be ‘on lock down’. Police on scene

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'Gorilla will be tranquillised'

Keepers are believed to be trying to bring the situation under control with reports tranquillisers will be used

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First tweet

The first report of the escaped gorilla surfaced at around 5.30pm. We’re hearing that visitors were told to get inside quickly.

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