DEVASTATED zookeepers have said they “remain hopeful” a rainbow lorikeet will return after escaping nearly two weeks ago.

The sneaky bird made its way out of its walk-in aviary at Colchester Zoo after landing on a member of the public as they left the enclosure.

A zookeeper, who was behind the desk of the entrance to the lorikeet enclosure, was unable to catch the Australian parrot species before it flew away.

Sadly, there has been no confirmed sightings of the bird since the incident on Saturday, January 6.

Despite this, experts still believe it could have a chance of surviving in the wild here if it can get access to food sources quickly enough.

Zookeepers said they are doing everything they can to try and get the bird back.

A spokesman for Colchester Zoo said: “We remain hopeful that the lorikeet will return, and we are on the lookout.

“This has been an upsetting incident for all of the staff involved here at the zoo.

"We may have to accept that the bird won’t return and are considering what we could do to prevent this happening again.”