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Subscribe to RSSThe San Diego Zoo was placed on lockdown Friday night after two striped hyenas escaped from their enclosure, zoo officials confirmed.
A source who wishes to remain anonymous told NBC 7 the incident happened around 5:30 p.m. The tipster believes the hyenas somehow jumped out of their enclosure.
The zoo’s public relations office confirmed the incident Saturday morning and told NBC 7 that two striped hyenas were able to get past one of the barriers inside their enclosure, temporarily escaping.
Worker at the zoo noticed the hyenas were not where they were supposed to be and, at that point, zookeepers came down to the enclosure.
Zoo officials say a lockdown for the zoo was immediately initiated following the escape as keepers worked to contain the animals. In an event like this, zoo officials say a lockdown is standard protocol.
The lockdown lasted approximately 30 minutes, according to zoo officials. Eventually, the two striped hyenas were darted with a sedative and taken to the veterinary care facility.
Zoo officials say the hyenas were never in contact with any humans and there was never any danger to zoo-goers. No injuries were reported.
The anonymous tipster told NBC 7 the zoo remained on lockdown for closer to an hour and half, rather than 30 minutes. The tipster also said a private party was happening on zoo grounds at the time of the incident.
However, zoo officials said the area where this happened was nowhere near the private party.
Officials did not release any further details about how, exactly, the hyenas were able to get over the barrier. It is unknown if the barrier in question is a wall, moat or fence, as the hyena enclosure includes all different types of barriers.
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Now this is confusing as I was darn sure I spotted them surrounded by Security Officers getting into a plane. It is confusing I admit to tell the difference between the incredibly efficent scavengers which nature provides to help keep a perfect balance the world, and those able to walk upright moving among humans. Which manage to live off the common American people, causing so devastation,struggling to keep from drowning, losing their homes, jobs and at times even their lives.
They just went out for a good time and laugh their a$$es off.
getting darted is no laughing matter
Life of the Darty?
heard the roosters were mocking them...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wsXjHmvtU0
dont forget that the critters in jurassic park managed to escape and breed
"Two hyenas escape at San Diego Zoo, are recaptured, officials confirm"
As in two Republicans escaped from congress?
So....these hyenas "somehow" escaped their confined cage? The same way that lion "somehow" escaped a smaller cage to kill that poor woman??????? Something doesn't add up. Aren't they supposed to make sure that something like this doesn't happen?
Hummmmmmmmmm ....... "two striped hyenas escaped......." "tipster also said a private party was happening on zoo grounds at the time of the incident."
Just a Coincidence? ........Who's private party on the zoo's grounds?
Ditto
The lion incidence was caused by the young woman volunteer not making sure that the cage door was locked properly.It is an animal preservation facility and not a zoo.
Next time they'll remember to lock Reid and Pelosi's cages.
I thought it was the "wheeper of the house" and Bitch McConnell. Guess we are both wrong.
?
Names of the animals were John Boehner and Cantor!
I immediately thought Pelosi and Feinstein...lol
I must be getting old, I was thinking Bush and Cheney. But then I remembered that they got away with their crimes and had not been caged, yet. lol
If they were laughing hyenas I'd say Biden & Holder!
Well it was just a matter of time before the long-arm of the zookeepers caught up to Kim and Kanye.
They still don't know the obama clan escaped.
7.62x39mm Well your mama helped with their escape.
They went to Washington!
If they had gotten out, they would probably have run for elective office and now be sitting with their cousins in Congress.
You people are idiots it has NOTHING to do with politics. Just goes to show haw small minded you are that such an event happens and you can only think of how to blame or criticize.
Chill out doofus.......everyones just having fun with an opportunistic occurence. Notice how the jokes are cutting both ways? It appears the for once we all do have something in common.
I'm sure this will be a very unpopular comment but it's a shame that we feel like we have to keep them locked up in a "zoo". I realize that most of these animals have never even seen the wild but they themselves are still wild animals. Just like Cous Cous, who killed that poor girl while she cleaned his area. He was bred at that facility just so people could come and gauk at him. What kind of life do these zoo animals have? Oh yeah they are well fed and don't have to worry about predators but the quality of their lives is pretty pathetic. It's like putting a bird in a cage. If a bird is kept from flying what kind of bird is that? An unhappy bird. I just wish that we didn't feel like anything and everything is suppose to be for our enjoyment no matter what the cost. When God gave us dominion over the animals I'm sure this wasn't what He had in mind. If you truly love animals do them a favor and stay away from the zoo and circus.
Sometimes the zoos are the last refuge of endanged species, what with poaching, loss of habitat,human encroachment (people need farms to feed themselves,,etc) if it wasn't for some zoos breeding problems some animals would already be extinct, but do hate to see a animal kept in a small cage all the time
Clearly you don't understand the important role zoos play in conservation. Without zoos and the revenue they raise countless animals would be extinct. Even with the help of zoos, it's a losing battle and you're just making it worse by telling people not to support them.
@Informed02 What is really the purpose of saving animal species when we are erasing the natural habitat they would otherwise live in? It's not like they would have a niche to return to and by the time humans go extinct, they would likely be unsuitable to live in whatever the world will be like at that time. However, Earth will evolve plenty of other animals to adapt to that future world, or if it had to, start over. It's done it a few times already. The only real reason to have zoos are to give people a place to look at living animals they would otherwise never see and to make people feel like we are "saving" species from our own species' environmental take-over. That said, I am not opposed to zoos and went to one just this past Monday. Just calling it the way it is.
crysta 1 wilson,I agree with your comments.Animals should remain in their natural habitat out in the wild.People argue that zoos are saving species but zoos are really for human beings entertainment.When California has the big earthquake and San Diego is affected,their animals will no doubt be out roaming the streets.It's not if it will happen but when it will happen.
Moppitts, while it is true that animals do go extinct and sometimes it is natural, that doesn't mean we shouldn't do what we can to protect endangered speicies. There are animals that have been successfully reintroduced to the wild and are currently back off of the endangered species list thanks the the good work of zoos and other similiar organization. Your argument is basically saying the future is going to suck so lets let the present go to hell without even trying to do anything about it.
I agree with Crysta l Wilson....just leave wild animals where they belong, in the wild. Those poor hyena's just wanted freedom. This is the 21st century...when will we get with the program and realize that if you want to see these animals you will have to go to their territory or check them out in some virtual world. Boycott zoo's, circus's, and the appalling atrocity that is rodeo....please.
As a San Diegan, I should mention the enclosures at the Zoo and Zoo Safari park are top notch... the animals have a pretty decent quality of life.
The San Diego Zoo was instrumental in saving the California condor. I think there were only 10-20 left, period, when they were captured and put into a breeding program back in the late 1970s. The zoo and its partners are now releasing breeding pairs into the wild in remote areas of the Southwest and Mexico, which is their natural habitat.
The California Condor is a perfect example of how zoos can help conserve animals that are in danger of becoming extinct. The last 22 condors in the wild were captured and placed in a specialized breeding program. The surviving birds had been placed in more than one facility in case a disease or natural disaster occurred in any one facility. There are now over 400 California Condors in existence with more than 225 living in the wild. Their reintroduction in the wild hasn't always gone perfectly due in part to lead shot in carrion they eat and high wires they don't seem to see while in low flight. However they have been reintroduced into their original habitat and are carefully monitored and are actually doing very well.
The birds remaining in captivity are there for a variety of reasons including as breeders, as mentors for young birds, and some are just too old or imprinted to be successfully released. Zoos that participate in the careful breeding and eventual reintroduction into native habitats when possible are the only way to keep some of these wonderful creatures going. Other "zoos," like the California Living Museum (CALM) take in animals who have been orphaned and are so imprinted with their original rescuers they are no longer suitable for release plus animals that have been permanently injured and are also not suitable for release. These animals are used as teaching tool for schools and other patrons who might otherwise never such animals in the wild. While it isn't a perfect existence for these animal at least they are serving a purpose because they would otherwise have to be euthanized.
Some of the money garnered by zoos and natural history museums goes to help endangered species being housed in these facilities and carefully tended. As it were, the "regular" animals help to provide for the endangered ones. Yes, it would be nice, in a perfect world, if all wild animals could be allowed to run and fly and swim free. Until we have that perfect world, where the ruination of habitat and illegal poaching of animals no longer exists, many zoos are serving a purpose in helping to conserve and repair our environment. I would love to see all animals freed but until they are all safe in this world perhaps a zoo is their only hope of safety from the humans who imprison them.
How about chinchillas? They were wiped out in the wild and were only saved from going extinct by the so called evil fur trade. The fur traders were the only ones breeding them in captivity and kept the species alive after the local people killed all the wild ones for food. For all the people here damming zoos I suggest you look past your rose colored glasses and see the real world. A lot of wild animals are being poached into extinction in their natural habitat. Zoos and sanctuaries are these animals only hope for survival. Currently there are more Siberian tigers living in Texas than in all of Siberia. There are more hyacinth macaws in Florida than the amazon. I suggest you actually look up what happens to animals in the wild if you think living in a cage is so terrible. Lions are often killed or crippled by their prey, prey animals are eaten alive by the lions and tigers. Watch a documentary about lions. Quite often they are ripping the wilder beasts guts out while it is still trying to get away. Not the way I would want to go.
Informed02 and Lisa,Excellent comments by both of you.
It's tough to blend in with the crowd when you're a striped hyena.
One of the most poorly written articles in recent history.
Lot of research is funded by these places.Good to see most of you realize that.For most of you,really get a life.
Hyenas will *$%& you up!
I bet you they put them back in the same enclosures they escaped from with a warning not to escape again and slap on the paw.
were their names Pelosi and Feinstien???
No their names were Mr & Mrs Keith Babcock.
Luckily nobody got mauled, Hyenas, Cape Hunting dogs, they are more dangerous than the lions in Africa
escaped in San Diego?!?! I thought Obama and Biden were at the Gridiron Dinner last night~! WTF???
potable2 They were at the Gridiron Dinner. Who your thinking of is Mr & Mrs Keith Babcock.
Hyenas can be mean, tough critters to survive in the wild, and can continue to be so in zoos. Wonder if DC had a lock down?
the hyena enclosure at the St Louis zoo is scarcely more than a wood rail fence. It's only a matter of time 'til some kid gets assaulted by one or more of those "things", they are a very "efficient" animal.
Time to shut down all zoos they are dangerous. We must protect the American people from themselves.
If the Hyena's had escaped, and did decide to run for office, it would be the first time in probably 12 years that I bothered to vote, and I'd vote straight Hyena, because at least I'd know what I was voting for.
Well even prisoners dream of escaping their prison to be free.
bob,
Amen!
It's a open enclosure not a cage, hence they jumped one of the barriers. There not stupid animals.
This could have turn ugly fast if the zoo had been full of patrons. Why isn't there more than one barrier for animals that can kill you in a matter of seconds or minutes? Seems to me the food/meat we feed lions and hyenas is packed full of steroids and those steroids are meant to make the animals it is injected into or feed to bigger and stronger. Wouldn't that also make the lions, tigers cheetahs and even hyenas stronger than they were 30 years ago when these cages and pens were built?