Police investigate after Dallas Zoo missing leopard is found

PUBLISHED 10:52 AM CST Jan. 13, 2023DALLAS — The Dallas Zoo found its missing clouded leopard, Nova, this afternoon after an arduous search Friday. Zoo officials announced they spotted Nova on Zoo property around 4:40 p.m. She was located very near the original habitat, and teams secured her safely just before 5:15 p.m.Initial indications are she is not injured. She is being evaluated by our veterinary staff right now. We’ll provide further updates on her status tomorrow.

Zoo and Dallas police officials held a press conference Friday afternoon and said this situation is unprecedented. According to Dallas Zoo President and CEO Greg Hudson, staff realized Nova wasn’t in her exhibit, and they found a suspicious opening in the habitat wall. Evidence was found that the fence of the small cat's habitat had been “intentionally” cut, police said. DPD is launching a criminal investigation into the incident. that the cat named Nova, who weighs about 20-25 pounds , did not appear injured and was found near her original habitat. The search had closed Texas' largest zoo to visitors while staff and police combed the 100-acre grounds.

Police and zoo officials said they have reviewed surveillance footage but would not say what it showed or whether there were potential suspects.Mitchell said Dallas police at first dispatched SWAT officers to the zoo, not understanding the size of a clouded leopard. Police drones helped search the zoo grounds, including trees. Harrison Edell, executive vice president of animal care and conservation at the Dallas Zoo, said clouded leopards like to climb.

Animals have escaped enclosures from the Dallas Zoo before. Most notably was in 2004, when a 340-pound gorilla named Jabari The Dallas Zoo will open some of its exhibits on Saturday.

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