On Wednesday, June 8th a Mexican Gray wolf escaped his enclosure at the MN zoo in Apple Valley. Zoo officials opted to shoot the rare animal rather than take the risk of it attacking a member of the public visiting the zoo that day. When I first heard the news I was angry - why not just sedate the animal and then put it back in its enclosure I thought. The wolf was born at the zoo and has had contact with people, wouldn't it have just been as easy to capture it again? You'd think an animal born in captivity would not have to be feared but I am no animal expert. Other zoo animals have attacked.
I visited the zoo this past Sunday with my son, my sister and her family and realized that perhaps the zoo did what they thought was in the publics best interest. I know I'd have a hard time forgiving the zoo if my son or anyone had been injured or killed by the wolf. But it is still sad. Alot of people are upset that they didn't just sedate the animal. Courtesy of My fox twin cities news - here's the explanation for the actions took that day.
No patrons were in the area when the shots were fired, said Lessard.
“It was a difficult decision that was made in a very short amount of time, but the safety of our guests is top priority," Lessard said.
Officials said they decided against using a tranquilizer because it would have taken too long to take effect, and they were concerned about guest safety.
Zoo officials said the wolf escaped by pushing on a weak part of the containment area. Investigators found a small tear in the covering at the back of the exhibit which may have occurred to do the material being worn down after the long winter.
Officials said the escaped wolf, which was born at the zoo, then jumped an 8 foot fence and even strolled through a children's playground nearby.
Why didn't the Zoo use a tranquilizer on the wolf?
When there is no effective way to physically contain a potentially dangerous animal, tranquilizers are not an option because:
Tranquilizers can take 10-15 minutes to fully take effect on an animal.
A shot of tranquilizer can cause the animal to run more and become more aggressive during those 10-15 minutes. A missed tranquilizer can lead to the same result.
Adrenaline can block the effects of a tranquilizer and possibly override any effect.
Tranquilizer darts need to deploy all of the tranquilizing drugs for best results. When the animal is moving, the tranquilizer dart can fall out or bounce off the animal and deploy on the ground.
When an animal is near guests, staff or perimeter fences, it is too risky to wait to for tranquilizers to take full effect.
While it is regrettable that this animal had to be shot, it was the appropriate reaction to the situation. The Zoo's primary concern is the safety of our guests, our employes and the community in which we operate. Of course we also care deeply about the animals we have taken responsibility for, and go to extraordinary lengths to prevent these kinds of occurrences. This is the first time anything of this sort has happened at the Minnesota Zoo, and we will redouble our efforts to prevent anything like it from happening again
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