Revealed, string of animals that escaped at zoo
A RED panda, a pelican and a massive bull are among the animals to have escaped their enclosures at Edinburgh Zoo.
Other similar incidents have involved a red river hog, an ibis, a Bateleur eagle, a macaw and a Madagascan teal.
The list was disclosed the day after whistleblowers released an image showing a keeper fleeing the pen of a giant panda in an incident which they claimed could have resulted in the worker being seriously injured or killed. Despite
‘Thorough investigation’
pandas’ cuddly image, they can be ferocious and are notoriously territorial, which is why they are removed from enclosures at Edinburgh during cleaning sessions.
Figures released yesterday following a freedom of information request show the largest escapee was a Heck bull weighing more than half a ton.
The 2012 incident resulted in visitors being escorted indoors.
The bull was on the loose for about 40 minutes before being tranquillised. The information, released by City of Edinburgh Council, also shows that the week Yesterday’s Daily Mail before the bull escaped, a scarlet ibis was recaptured after evading keepers for six days.
The rare bird left its enclosure through a hole in netting. Keepers tracked the female to the Cramond area and tempted it into a trap using mussels and prawns.
The red panda went on the run last month. A zoo spokesman said its procedures place ‘particular emphasis’ on the safety of the public and staff, as well as animal welfare. He said: ‘All our staff receive regular training in our animal escape procedures and our living collections team are trained in animal capture and restraint methods for a range of species.
‘We also have in-house veterinary and firearms teams to assist in case of emergency.’
He added: ‘Should an incident occur, we would immediately notify the licensing authority and, once resolved, we would conduct a thorough investigation to prevent further incidents.’
Earlier this week, employees released an image of male giant panda Yang Guang only inches behind a worker who had been cleaning his enclosure.
The zoo initially denied the incident but admitted it after the emergence of the photo, believed to have been taken by a security camera last year. Staff said morale has plummeted, with the panda incident one of a list of concerns in an email to bosses.
Zoo bosses initially dismissed the claims as ‘unfounded’ but yesterday a spokesman said: ‘Staff reported a near miss within the panda enclosure last year. This was fully investigated and Edinburgh council kept informed. No staff or animals were harmed.’
The zoo refused to comment on the rest of the email, saying it contained ‘inaccuracies’.
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