HINESVILLE, GA – A neighborhood stir on Sunday ended with a heavy rescue after a resident tortoise escaped their enclosure. Area residents spotted the tortoise and called 911. Officers with the Hinesville Police Department responded and lifted the very large, very heavy reptile back into their enclosure, the department said.
The tortoise was returned unharmed.
EMPORIA, KS – A Kansas zoo has abruptly closed due to the death of one of its three American bison. The David Traylor Zoo in Emporia said that the facility is closed to the public until further notice. The zoo originally did not specify why they chose to close the facility, only stating it was due to an animal-related matter.
However, in a news release, the zoo announced the death of its male American bison, Bill. He was 22 years old. The zoo says his death was determined to be due to age-related illness and not something communicable that could spread to other mammals at the zoo. In a statement, the zoo said: “Zoo staff are closely monitoring our two remaining bison, Beulah and Ted, as they adjust to the loss of their herd’s dominant male. Animal care staff are providing additional observation and support during this transition period.
To allow time for both the animals and our staff to process this loss and make necessary adjustments within the habitat, the Zoo will remain closed for the remainder of today.” Bill was born at the zoo in April 2003 and lived at the zoo his entire life.
MEMPHIS, TN – A bonobo cracked the glass of the apes’ enclosure while lunging at visitors at the Memphis Zoo on Thursday, Feb. 26. Video of the incident obtained by local outlet Action 5 News shows a group of three of apes near the glass, when one grabs what appears to be a ball of hay and lunges into the safety glass, causing a large crack as visitors can be heard reacting in the background.
“Disruptive behavior at exhibits does not just damage property,” the zoo said in a statement to NBC News. “It has meaningful consequences for the animals’ daily routines and wellbeing, which is why respectful conduct is essential.” The zoo confirmed that the bonobo exhibit will experience a “prolonged closure” while the safety glass is repaired. The barrier was not breached and the ape did not escape, per zoo officials. The bonobo was not injured in the incident.
The bonobos will not have full access to their habitat while repairs take place, the zoo said.
DETROIT, MI – A baby giraffe at the Detroit Zoo has died after she suffered a spinal injury, zoo officials said on Friday. Officials say 2-month-old Okidi ran into a habitat viewing panel earlier this week. Animal care and veterinary teams determined that the giraffe calf sustained a vertebral injury, which they described as “serious.”
“Given the severity of the injury and poor prognosis, our animal care and veterinary team made the humane but heartbreaking decision to euthanize Okidi. The herd, including her mother, Zara, was given the opportunity to observe Okidi following the procedure, an important step in supporting herd dynamics,” the zoo said. The giraffe was born on Nov. 23, 2025, and was a few days shy of reaching 3 months old.