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Mexican Gray Wolf Escapes Enclosure at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Roams Visitor Walkways

Incident Date:
09/05/2022
Location:
Cleveland, OH - USA
Facility Name:
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Escape of animal (EA)
Species:
Other
Animal:
Wolf
Animal disposition:
Recaptured

Summary:

A female Mexican gray wolf escaped an off-exhibit enclosure at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Ohio and roamed the same zoo walkways shared by visitors. Guests at the zoo reported being rushed into buildings for safety while staff secured the animal. She ran through the public space for about five minutes before zoo staff were able to get her to a nonpublic area, where they then tranquilized her with a dart. The zoo said no guests or employees were harmed.

Dr. Chris Kuhar, Executive Director of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, reported that the wolves were moved into an off-exhibit area while work was being done on the main exhibit. Investigators stated that the wolf breached the off-exhibit area by scaling the containment walls and creating a gap in the top of the enclosure.

Action take by Born Free USA:

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