A chimpanzee at the Indianapolis Zoo escaped from its enclosure early Friday, but was found, sedated and returned to her exhibit within about 90 minutes, zoo officials said. Photo courtesy of the Indianapolis Zoo/Instagram
Visitors to the Indianapolis Zoo on Friday morning were asked to shelter in place after a chimpanzee got loose from its enclosure for an adventure around the park.
A female chimpanzee was spotted outside of its enclosure around 10 a.m. Friday morning, with park officials issuing a guest lockdown and the Indianapolis Fire Department called to assist in case they were needed.
The chimp, which Fox59-Indianapolis reported is named Mara, did not escape from zoo grounds after being spotted on top of her enclosure.
Zoo officials managed to corner and sedate her before returning her to her enclosure, and without injuries being sustained to staff or guests at the zoo.
WRTV-ABC reported that the Wayne Township school district had two field trips scheduled for the zoo — groups of second-, seventh- and eighth-graders — but the children’s access to the park was delayed while the chimp was being caught.
“Zoo guests were safe at all times,” Zoo officials told the Indianapolis Star in an email. “There were no injuries to guests, zoo staff or the animal.”
“The zoo’s security, animal care and veterinary teams train for these scenarios and responded in a textbook and professional manner. The zoo has reopened as normal,” the officials said.
According to police, Mara was sedated and recaptured at 11:42 a.m. and the zoo was reopened and functioning by noon.
