July 23 (UPI) — A South Carolina zoo’s opening was delayed Thursday morning when an unidentified animal escaped from its enclosure inside the facility.
The City of Greenville confirmed the Greenville Zoo’s opening would be delayed Thursday morning and Cleveland Park was closed to the public while police and zookeepers attended to the situation.
“Cleveland Park and the Greenville Zoo are temporarily closed while zoo personnel and first responders contain an animal that left its exhibit. The animal is inside the zoo walls. Greenville Police and Firefighters are on scene to keep the public at a safe distance,” the zoo said in a statement provided to WYFF-TV.
A parent whose child attends day camp at the zoo received a message Thursday morning reading: “Hello Jr. Zoologist families. We have an emergency at the Greenville Zoo. Children that have been dropped off already are in the Brook’s playground. Please stay away from the zoo. We will update you as soon as possible.”
The identity of the escaped animal was not yet released by the city or the zoo.
