Clouded Leopard Escapes Enclosure at the Dallas Zoo
Incident Date:
01/13/2023
Location:
Dallas, TX - USA
Facility Name:
Dallas Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Escape of animal (EA)
Species:
Small Cats
Animal:
Clouded Leopard
Animal disposition:
Recaptured
Summary:
The Dallas Zoo closed and issued a ‘code blue’ for a missing clouded leopard. Zoo officials believe that the leopard is hiding onsite.
While officials described the escape as “a serious situation,” they added that the Dallas Police Department is assisting in their efforts to find the leopard, named Nova, who was not in her enclosure when staff arrived earlier this morning.
UPDATE: Investigating officials later discovered that the Dallas Zoo enclosure of the escaped clouded leopard was “intentionally” cut, and a similar hole was also found in a langur enclosure. Investigators are unsure if the two incidents are connected, police disclosed. A criminal investigation is ongoing.
Action take by Born Free USA:
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