52-Year-Old Elephant Returned after Escaping Enclosure
Incident Date:
03/30/2026
Location:
Albuquerque, NM - USA
Facility Name:
ABQ BioPark
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Escape of animal (EA)
Species:
Elephants
Animal:
Animal disposition:
Recaptured
Summary:
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Alice, an Asian elephant, was discovered outside of the elephant habitat at Albuquerque’s ABQ BioPark by security staff on March 29 at approximately 7:30 a.m., while the zoo was closed, according to a news release. The zoo’s animal care staff was able to call Alice to return to her habitat. No other elephants escaped during this time.
Luckily, Alice did not sustain any injuries during her escape. The escape caused the zoo to delay opening Sunday by 30 minutes, as staff cleared debris Alice had left behind while she ate surrounding plants and walked around.
Action take by Born Free USA:
Notes: