Exotic Incident #724
Incident Date:
10/19/2004
Location:
Fort Wayne, IN - USA
Facility Name:
Fort Wayne Children's Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Escape of animal (EA)
Species:
Other
Animal:
Wildebeest
Animal disposition:
Recaptured
Summary:
Five wildebeests escaped from the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. Rather than moving into the barn where they usually spent the winter, five of the zoo’s seven wildebeests ran toward the opposite end of the exhibit and broke through a gate in a 10-foot-high fence. Two wildebeests suffered severe breaks to their front legs and were euthanized. The remaining three leaped a 4-foot-wall and eluded zoo and city staff for 2-1/2 hours while they ran through nearby neighborhoods. The animals were finally tranquilized and returned to the zoo.
Action take by Born Free USA:
Notes: