The Greenville Zoo delayed its opening Thursday morning after an unidentified animal escaped from its enclosure, according to the City of Greenville. Cleveland Park, which surrounds the zoo, was closed to the public while police and zookeepers responded.
The zoo said in a statement that it and the park were temporarily closed “while zoo personnel and first responders contain an animal that left its exhibit.” The statement, provided to WYFF-TV, said the animal was inside the zoo walls and that Greenville Police and firefighters were on scene “to keep the public at a safe distance.”
A parent whose child attends the zoo’s day camp received a message Thursday morning that said in part: “Hello Jr. Zoologist families. We have an emergency at the Greenville Zoo. Children that have been dropped off already are in the Brook’s playground. Please stay away from the zoo. We will update you as soon as possible.”
The City of Greenville confirmed the zoo’s opening would be delayed but did not provide additional details about the animal. The zoo had not released the identity of the escaped animal as of Thursday morning, according to United Press International.