ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — Police are searching for whoever cut locks and fencing on exhibits at a New Mexico zoo, allowing four animals, including a bobcat, to escape before they were quickly found nearby.
Police in Roswell, New Mexico, say they discovered the vandalism after a visitor noticed cut fencing at the red-tailed hawk exhibit Sunday. The zoo was evacuated as staff discovered that other vandalized enclosures had freed a raccoon, two raccoon-like coatimundis and a bobcat.
Officials say the animals were all found within 20 minutes in non-public zookeeper areas.
Spring River Park and Zoo staffers believe only the raccoon might have ventured into a visitor area.
Authorities say they’re glad the animals stayed in their “comfort zones,” but the vandalism could have put people and animals in danger.
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