- Rhino escapes from AZA zoo in Iowa.

Published by -NAWA News Feed- in - AZA Incidents and News - · Friday 30 Jun 2023
Tags: escape, rhino, Blank, Park, Zoo, Iowa, AZA

There were reports of a rhinoceros at the zoo escaping its enclosure, but police claimed it was later caught and returned to its home. It was not immediately obvious how it might have escaped.

"Mohan", a bigger one-horned rhino weighing 3,000 pounds, was reportedly spotted leaving its "primary enclosure" at around 11:55 a.m., according to zoo officials. The location was in "an adjacent animal paddock that he is normally not allowed to be in."

Emergency protocols were put into place, including blocking off the entrance to the zoo, sending visitors to safe indoor spaces, and alerting the Buffalo police.

According to a zoo release, "Zoo staff had eyes on him throughout the entire process as they worked to safely return Mohan back to his enclosure."

Zoo visitors stated the matter was handled peacefully by staff, but they were interested in what had happened.

A 3,000 lb rhino is no match for a vechile, (file photo)

A worker informed Alysia Sikorski, Dustin Janik, and their children Amyla, 3, and Daxsen, almost 2, that they needed to return inside the dining area.

"What's happening?" Asking, Sikorski. "A possible animal on the loose, according to the employee." She enquired, "What kind of animal?" The employee referred to a rhino.

According to Miranda Bilson, who was visiting the zoo and had just left the rainforest section with her children and her friend's family.

Miranda's daughter broke down in tears. "She felt uneasy. She was unaware of what was happening".

The zoo playground's swings were being used by Emilia Spadafora, 5, when a worker shouted, "Code red!"

The young girl, who was visiting the zoo with her Florida-based grandma and her grandmother's friend, stated, "They told us to go inside because a rhino escaped."

Emilia claimed to be terrified.

The Blank Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a agency that carries out what it refers to as "intense, multi-day, on-site inspections," has granted the zoo accreditation. The group claims to have a "verifiable track record of enforcing its standards," but it also states that it "does not share the specific results of accreditation inspections" with the general public. These inspection results are not made public by the zoo according to zoo officials.

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