3 Times Zoo Animals Escaped During Natural Disasters

New York City recently faced an immense amount of rainwater that led to widespread flooding, prompting New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency. The flooding had far-reaching consequences, from closing down LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal A to shutting off access to the FDR Drive in Manhattan. Amidst this chaos, a curious incident involving a sea lion from a zoo added a unique twist to the situation.

Source: PIX11 News/YouTube

A female sea lion from the Central Park Zoo managed to escape briefly and “explore the area” before returning safely to her enclosure. The Wildlife Conservation Society clarified that the sea lion never breached the zoo’s perimeter and was closely monitored by zoo staff during her brief expedition.

While the New York sea lion’s escapade captured headlines, it is not the first time that zoo animals have managed to break free during natural disasters. Here are three other remarkable instances from around the world:

1. Tbilisi, Georgia (June 2015): Heavy floodwaters inundated a zoo in Tbilisi, leading to the escape of dozens of animals, including lions, tigers, bears, and a hippopotamus. Tragically, the flood claimed the lives of at least 12 people. Authorities had to subdue a wandering hippo with a tranquilizer dart and, regrettably, had to shoot six wolves. Several other animals also perished during the flooding.
2. Eifel Zoo, Germany (June 2018): A bear escaped from the Eifel Zoo in Germany, causing panic and initiating a massive police search. Two lions, two tigers, and a jaguar were initially thought to have escaped as well but were later found to have remained within the zoo’s confines. However, a bear that escaped was shot and killed by police amid the flooding.
3. Duluth, Minnesota (June 2012): In Duluth, Minnesota, a nearby creek overflowed during flooding, allowing several zoo animals, including harbor seals and a polar bear, to “float” over the walls and escape. Zoo officials tranquilized and returned the polar bear to its cage. Tragically, nearly a dozen other animals drowned during the flooding, leading to a temporary zoo closure.

While the recent New York City flooding incident with the sea lion was largely a harmless and amusing occurrence, the broader picture reveals the severe consequences of natural disasters on both human and animal populations. Climate change is contributing to an increase in extreme weather events, putting urban areas and their infrastructure, including zoos, at risk. The escape of zoo animals during natural disasters is a reminder of the urgent need to address Climate change and its impacts.

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