Missing clouded leopard found at Dallas Zoo
Update: 6:04 p.m., Friday, January 13: The Dallas Zoo shared that Nova the clouded leopard was found near her habitat around 4:40 p.m. Experts were able to safely secure her around 5:15 p.m. and she is being evaluated by veterinary staff. She did not appear to be injured when first found, officials said.
Police told the Associated Press that evidence was found that the fence of the small cat’s habitat had been “intentionally” cut.
Update: 11:45 a.m., Friday, January 13: The Dallas Zoo crews are still actively searching for the missing clouded leopard reported on Friday, January 13. The zoo said in a press conference that the “non-dangerous” cat, Nova, was out of its habitat and unaccounted for this morning.
Harrison Edell, vice president for animal care at the Dallas Zoo, said that clouded leopards are dramatically different animals from other leopards, are much smaller, weigh about 30 pounds, and pose no danger to humans. He said Nova most likely climbed a tree to stay out of the way and hunt squirrels and birds.
The Dallas Police Department and zoo officials are looking in treetops for Nova, using drones equipped with infrared technology.
Zoo officials said it had never housed clouded leopards before September 2021. Two sisters, Nova and Luna, joined the Dallas Zoo after moving from the Houston Zoo.
Officials believe Nova is still inside the zoo. If you spot a cat that is larger than a house cat nearby, officials said to call the zoo.
Original story:
The Dallas Zoo issued a “Code Blue” and temporarily shut down due to a reported missing leopard on Friday, January 13. The zoo tweeted around 10:15 a.m. that it was closed “due to a serious situation.”
Zoo officials said they issued a “code blue” for a “non-dangerous animal that is out of its habitat.” The zoo added that the Dallas Police Department was assisting in their efforts to find the clouded leopard that was unaccounted for when staff arrived that morning.
“Given the nature of these animals, we believe the animal is still on grounds and hiding,” the zoo wrote in a tweet. “We will share updates and more information as soon as we can. Our focus right now is on locating the animal.”
No additional information was immediately available.
