If this was a movie, a pandemic would already have broken out and we would be locked in our houses, frantically checking the news and cursing every monkey that ever walked the earth.

Luckily, in real-life, an escaped macaque in an airport isn't quite as dramatic.

Still, Dawkins the macaque caused quite a stir at San Antonio airport yesterday when he broke out of his crate while being transported to to the Born Free USA sanctuary for primates.

Luckily, after wandering around the cargo bay for a while (he wasn't anywhere near the terminal building with humans, more's the pity), the mischievous monkey was cornered and tranquilised before he harmed himself or anyone else.

At least his 'hero' status at the sanctuary is confirmed.

See pics below: