Beaver Escapes from Central NY Zoo

Summary:

UTICA, NY – Cauliflower, a young male beaver, escaped his enclosure a day after he was delivered to the Utica Zoo from Minnesota. He has been missing for a week. Last week, the Utica Zoo welcomed three North American beavers back to their Backyards & Barnyards exhibits.

Cauliflower, a male, was transported to Central New York along with his sisters, Mustard and Tangerine. The trio was born in 2023 at the Minnesota Zoo. Just 24 hours after their arrival, zoo keepers discovered that Cauliflower had escaped his enclosure. According to a social media post, Utica Zoo staff immediately initiated a Code Blue response, a protocol designated for the escape of a non-dangerous animal.

According to zoo staff, Cauliflower is about the age when wild male beavers set off on their own to establish their own territory and find a mate. Executive Director Andria Heath told the Rome Sentinel that although Cauliflower is neutered, he might feel a need for a new habitat away from his sisters. Zoo staff have set live traps, employed trail cams, and drones and the search has involved multiple agencies including the Utica Police Department, NYS DEC, the City of Utica and more. While the search continues, Mustard and Tangerine are off exhibit.

Action take by Born Free USA:

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