Key takeaways:
- The St. Louis Zoo experienced a brief lockdown after a 4-year-old Andean bear, Ben, escaped his outdoor habitat.
- Ben had torn through stainless steel clips that had been used to help secure his enclosure after an escape on Feb. 7.
- The zoo is reminding guests to remain alert and aware of their surroundings while visiting the zoo and to report any suspicious activity to zoo staff.
The St. Louis Zoo experienced a brief lockdown on Thursday after a 4-year-old Andean bear, Ben, escaped his outdoor habitat. According to the zoo’s statement on Facebook, the incident occurred at 1 p.m. and guests and staff were quickly escorted into various indoor facilities while team members worked to secure Ben. The process took approximately 50 minutes from start to finish.
Zoo Director Michael Macek described Ben as “curious” and said he had torn through stainless steel clips that had been used to help secure his enclosure after an escape on Feb. 7. This was the second time this month that Ben had broken out of his habitat.
The zoo’s River’s Edge area, where Ben was spotted during the earlier escape, was closed off during the lockdown. The zoo has since reopened and Ben is back in his habitat.
The St. Louis Zoo is reminding guests to remain alert and aware of their surroundings while visiting the zoo. They also encourage visitors to report any suspicious activity to zoo staff. The zoo is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests.
Be First to Comment