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Visitors Evacuated From Kansas Zoo During Attempted Bear Escape

Incident Date:
06/10/2024
Location:
Independence, KS - USA
Facility Name:
Ralph Mitchell Zoo
Facility Type:
Non-accredited Facility (RSZ)
Incident Category:
Escape of animal (EA)
Species:
Bears
Animal:
Brown Bear
Animal disposition:
Other

Summary:

Independence, KS – A Kansas zoo was temporarily evacuated when a Syrian brown bear attempted to escape from her enclosure. The City of Independence said in a Facebook post that visitors were ushered out of the Ralph Mitchell Zoo when the bear, one of three sisters in the enclosure, attempted her unsuccessful escape on Sunday.

“While the bear never made it out of the enclosure confines, she did manage to dig under the viewing platform and slip barely out of sight of staff for very brief period of time,” the post said. “Staff quickly responded to the situation, coaxed the bear back into the security of her pen and are taking steps to reinforce the enclosure to eliminate any chance of a future breakout.”

Officials wrote the incident was resolved within 10 minutes and the Independence Police Department was notified.

Action take by Born Free USA:

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