Toronto Zoo Investigating After Orangutan Escapes Outdoor Habitat – How You Can Help!
An orangutan escaped its enclosure at the Toronto Zoo, prompting an investigation and a request for visitor videos. 🌐 #News #TorontoONT #Canada #Animals
TORONTO, CANADA – An orangutan escaped its enclosure at the Toronto Zoo in Canada on Thursday evening, and zookeepers are asking visitors who may have captured video to share it so they can learn how it escaped.
The Toronto Zoo said Health and Safety staff were notified by a volunteer that the male orangutan Kembali had accessed an area outside of its new outdoor habitat.
Toronto Police Services were called to the scene as a “precautionary measure,” and were kept on standby in the parking lot.
“As an AZA accredited zoo, these are situations we prepare for through regular drills,” the zoo said in a statement. “Zoo staff responded quickly and were able to clear guests from the area and the animal was returned to the habitat without incident.”
The zoo said it is reviewing internal video footage to learn how Kembali was able to access the area outside his habitat.
Zoo officials are also asking any visitors who were at the orangutan outdoor habitat during this time and who may have captured video to contact Graham Birtles, Supervisor, Health & Safety Services at gbirtles@torontozoo.ca.
“We are grateful to our Zoo team for their quick actions,” the zoo said.
“While we continue to investigate this incident, the outdoor orangutan habitat will be closed to guests and media until further notice. We thank you for your understanding during this time.”
Written by TMX staff, with additional reporting by Jack and Kitty Norton.
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