The following is an incomplete list of notable incidents where one or multiple animals escaped from their enclosures at zoos.
Australia YearZooLocationSpeciesTime looseNotes2023Australia ZooBeerwah, QueenslandRed-necked wallaby3 daysThe male, Dougle, escaped through a damaged fence during a thunderstorm.2023Perth ZooPerth, Western AustraliaSilvery gibbon30 minutes2022Adelaide ZooAdelaide, South AustraliaRed panda2 daysThe 7-year-old male Ravi was found two days after his escape in a tree in a nearby botanical park. The animal was tranquilised and brought back.2022Australian Reptile ParkSomersby, New South WalesAmerican alligatorBrief escape2022Symbio Wildlife ParkHelensburgh, New South WalesRed pandaUnknownThe 8-year-old female Kesari escaped after a tree fell in her enclosure. She died after being hit by a car.2022 Taronga ZooMosman, New South WalesLion2.5 hoursDuring the “Roar and Snore” program, where guests pay to sleep 100 metres from the lion enclosure, four cubs and their father Ato were spotted outside of their exhibit. The zoo was put under a lockdown and the visitors were evacuated to a bathroom block until the animals returned, one cub was tranquilized.2019Melbourne ZooMelbourne, VictoriaSumatran orangutanBrief escapeThe 15-year-old Malu briefly escaped. The zoo was put under lockdown.2018Perth ZooPerth, Western AustraliaGhost bat50 minutes2018Perth ZooPerth, Western AustraliaRed panda90 minutes2017Australian Reptile ParkSomersby, New South WalesKoalaLess than a dayThe 2-year-old female Irene escaped her enclosure at the start of the mating season.2017Perth ZooPerth, Western AustraliaBinturongUnknownA baby escaped twice through holes in its enclosure.2017Perth ZooPerth, Western AustraliaSumatran orangutan15 minutesA 5-year-old male fell over a barrier and into a garden bed. His mother dropped into the area to retrieve him before moving onto the visitor boardwalk and back into her exhibit. The zoo was placed in lockdown.2016Taronga ZooMosman, New South WalesRed-tailed black cockatoo2 daysOne bird escaped during the free flight show after being scared by a peregrine falcon. It was found in a backyard 20 km north of the zoo.2015Melbourne ZooMelbourne, VictoriaSumatran orangutanLess than a dayThe 11-year-old Malu escaped into a secondary area before it was tranquilised. The zoo was put under lockdown.2012Australia ZooBeerwah, QueenslandBinturong17 days2012Ranger Red's Zoo & Conservation ParkPinjarra, Western AustraliaTasmanian devilUnknownThe three Tasmanian devils Itchy, Jamie and Genghis escaped after a falling tree knocked down the wall of their enclosure. One week later, Itchy and Jamie were found.2012Taronga ZooMosman, New South WalesRed-tailed black cockatooAt least 2 daysFive birds escaped during the free flight show after being scared by sea eagles.2011Taronga ZooMosman, New South WalesCrab-eating macaque10 minutes2009Adelaide ZooAdelaide, South AustraliaSumatran orangutan30 minutesThe 27-year-old Karta escaped her enclosure by short-circuiting an electric fence, but did not make it over a surrounding fence.2008Monarto Safari ParkMonarto, South AustraliaWhite rhinocerosLess than a dayThe 18-year-old male Satara broke out to reach some female rhinos, but remained within a fenced zone. He was tranquilised and brought back to another enclosure.2004Mareeba Wild Animal ParkKuranda, QueenslandCheetahUnknown1990Taronga ZooMosman, New South WalesClouded leopard1 dayOne clouded leopard escaped through a broken wire into a nearby concrete structure, where it feasted on pigeons until a zookeeper tranquilised the animal.1973Taronga ZooMosman, New South WalesFreshwater crocodile1 dayInitially thought to have been stolen, the two reptiles actually had scaled a 2.5-metre tall mesh fence.1972Taronga ZooMosman, New South WalesOrangutan1 hour1967Taronga ZooMosman, New South WalesNorthern plains gray langurUnknownThe monkey escaped into nearby Bradley's Park where it was shot by zoo director Ron Strahan.Mid-1950sTaronga ZooMosman, New South WalesChimpanzeeLess than a dayThe ex-circus chimp Koko escaped her enclosure and trashed the interior of the office manager’s Ford Prefect until she was sedated with a bottle of chloroform by a zookeeper.1946Taronga ZooMosman, New South WalesBengal tigerLess than a dayThe animal was shot.1914Melbourne ZooMelbourne, VictoriaLeopard2 daysThe leopard fled into a garden where it was shot dead after attacking a 17-year-old girl.
Austria YearZooLocationSpeciesTime looseNotes2022Doppelmayr ZooWolfurtRed-necked wallabyUnknown2022Salzburg ZooSalzburgAfrican penguinSeveral hoursA young penguin escaped in an unknown way and was found in a cornfield, about 800 metres away from the zoo.2021Salzburg ZooSalzburgAfrican penguin4 daysThe penguin was found emaciated on a path near the zoo. It was suspected that the animal had been stolen, because it is unknown how it could have escaped.2021Salzburg ZooSalzburgCheetahSeveral hoursIn early June, the two females Juvi and Raha escaped the zoo and wandered towards Anif, but came back after their mother called them. Although the zoo stated that the safety measures will be improved, one month later, Juvi escaped again. This time, she could be pushed back into her enclosure by zookeepers and the vet.2012Salzburg ZooSalzburgCheetahUnknownIn June, two cheetahs escaped. In July, one of them managed to escape again briefly.2012Salzburg ZooSalzburgEurasian lynx1 dayA Eurasian lynx named Vivious managed to escape after a storm damaged its enclosure.2009Schönbrunn ZooViennaSpectacled bear15 minutesThe male Huan escaped for 15 minutes before he was tranquilized by a vet.
Belgium YearZooLocationSpeciesTime looseNotes2024UnspecifiedUnknownPink-backed pelican2 weeksThe pelican made its way to the Netherlands, where it was captured on the golf course in Vught. The bird was taken to Safaripark Beekse Bergen to be picked up by its owner.2023PlanckendaelMechelenSpotted hyenaBrief escapeA fallen tree allowed four hyenas to briefly escape their enclosure before the zoo was opened for visitors. The animals could quickly be lured back by caretakers.2022PlanckendaelMechelenBonoboLess than a dayA male bonobo escaped, causing the zoo to be evacuated. After the ape was tranquilized, it was brought back and the park was reopened.2020Pairi DaizaBrugeletteWolfSeveral hoursA 3-year-old wolf escaped for one night, before being recaptured the next morning. Local farmers were warned.2018PlanckendaelMechelenLion3 hoursA lioness got out of her enclosure shortly after the zoo was opened, causing the zoo to be evacuated. After attempts to sedate her failed, the animal was shot.
Brazil YearZooLocationSpeciesTime looseNotes2012Parque Municipal Danilo GalafassiCascavelCapuchin monkeyAt least 1 dayEight monkeys escaped by smashing open the lock of their cage. One day later, four of them were recaptured.
Bulgaria YearZooLocationSpeciesTime looseNotes2014Lovech ZooLovechJaguar6 hoursThe animal was shot dead.2014Sofia ZooSofiaTigerLess than a day
Canada YearZooLocationSpeciesTime looseNotes2026Calgary ZooCalgary, AlbertaGrizzly Bear"A couple hours"Fitz the Grizzly Bear briefly escaped his enclosure by climbing a 3 metre tall barrier before being tranquilized and safely relocated with no injuries.2024Greenview Park and ZooMorpeth, OntarioRed kangaroo3 hoursA kangaroo escaped the Greenview Zoo by unknown means before being spotted by an Amazon driver and being captured by the Ontario Provincial Police.2023Oshawa ZooOshawa, OntarioEastern grey kangarooFour daysA kangaroo escaped while being transported by truck. It eluded capture for a week before being captured by Ontario Provincial Police.2023Waddles 'n' Wags Animal HavenEganville, OntarioServalNever foundA serval escaped from a roadside zoo and is presumed dead.2022Greater Vancouver ZooLangley, British ColumbiaWolf2 daysTwo wolves escaped from the Greater Vancouver Zoo after a hole was cut in their enclosure. One was recovered safely while the other was struck by a car and killed.2021Papanack Park ZooWendover, OntarioKangarooUnknownA kangaroo escaped before being found seriously injured on a highway. It was euthanised.2019Roaring Cat RetreatLambton Shores, OntarioLionUnknownTwo lion cubs escaped from an illegal zoo.2019Zoo Sauvage de St-FélicienSaint-Félicien, QuebecWolverineUnknownThis female wolverine was never recovered but in july of 2018,it was announced that a male wolverine escaped from the same zoo and was recovered later in august of 2018.2017Chippewa Park Wildlife ExhibitThunder Bay, OntarioBald eagleNever foundTwo bald eagles escaped after their enclosure was vandalized. One was never found.2016High Park ZooToronto, OntarioCapybara35 daysTwo capybaras, known as Bonnie and Clyde, escaped from the High Park Zoo. One was captured after 19 days while the other remained on the loose for 35 days.2016Papanack Park ZooWendover, OntarioLion2 hoursA lion managed to escape before being shot by police2015High Park ZooToronto, OntarioIndian peafowl5 daysA peacock escaped his enclosure and explored Toronto before returning to the zoo2013Magnetic Hill ZooMoncton, New BrunswickIndian peafowlOne week2013Calgary ZooCalgary, AlbertaHippopotamusSeveral hoursThe two hippopotamus escaped their enclosure during the 2013 flood, but were safely returned by the zoo staff.2013GuZoo Animal FarmThree Hills, AlbertaYak, sheep, coyote, ostrich, sika deerA day2009Greater Vancouver ZooLangley, British ColumbiaBlue-and-yellow macawThree daysChuva the macaw escaped his enclosure before hiding in an RV. The RV driver discovered the bird three days later and returned it to the zoo.2008Guha Exotic Animal ReserveHuntsville, OntarioJaguar1 dayA six-year-old jaguar escaped from the zoo, attacking a dog before being shot by police. The zoo is now closed.2007Safari NiagaraStevensville, OntarioSyrian brown bearSeveral hours2007Bergeron's Exotic Animal SanctuaryPicton, OntarioJapanese macaque48 hoursEscaped before being tranquillised by a bylaw officer2006Chippewa Wildlife ExhibitThunder Bay, OntarioWolfOne weekA wolf escaped after jumping over its 8-foot fence. It was shot by police.1997Bear Creek SanctuaryBarrie, OntarioTiger2 daysA tiger escaped its enclosure. It was found two days later and tranquillized.1997Lickety Split Ranch and ZooLondon, OntarioTiger4 hours1958Hertel's ZooNanaimo, British ColumbiaLion1 dayThe 2-year-old lioness Fury managed to escape the zoo in the night. The next day, she killed a little girl before the animal was shot by a hunter.1958Storybook GardensLondon, OntarioCalifornia sea lion10 daysA sea lion named Slippery managed to escape his enclosure, travelling into the United States before being caught in Toledo, Ohio.1939Calgary ZooCalgary, AlbertaCalifornia sea lion3 monthsA sea lion named Buster became a local celebrity after escaping from the Calgary Zoo and travelling through irrigation canals to Chestermere Lake and then to Bassano where he played with children.
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