The ABQ BioPark Zoo delayed its opening Sunday after they had to find an elephant that had escaped, officials said.

Elephant escape delays ABQ BioPark’s opening Sunday

 

Elephant escape delays Sunday opening for ABQ BioPark

The Albuquerque BioPark Zoo delayed opening for the day Sunday after an elephants escaped and had to be brought back to its habitat.

Alice, a 52-year-old Asian elephant broke the welds on a section of perimeter steel fence and escaped her habitat overnight. BioPark staff said they found her alone along a path at around 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Elephant escape delays ABQ BioPark's opening Sunday - KOB.com

When staff saw Alice, they activated its emergency response plan. Staff found her and soon brought her back to her habitat safely.

Alice wasn’t hurt. The BioPark confirmed this is the first time this has ever happened. They’re trying to figure out this happened. Part of the habitat is still closed while crews repair the fence.

ABQ BioPark elephant escapes, delays zoo open

The escape delayed the opening by about 30 minutes.

“I think she was definitely curious and testing the boundaries,” Gibson said, “and it also shows her love and care… and her relationship with the animal care team, that she quickly came when they called and safely entered her habitat again.”

Staff said they are also looking at ways to prevent another escape.