.Pin, a 35-year-old lappet-faced vulture, was found dead on Saturday. Less than two weeks after a clouded leopard enclosure cut allowed him to escape.
An endangered vulture with an “unusual wound” was found dead. At the Dallas Zoo over the weekend. Facility officials said Monday — the third suspicious case there in less. Than two weeks.
It is unclear whether the death of Pin, a 35-year-old lappet. Faced vulture, is connected to the earlier incident. The zoo said in a statement Monday that it had asked Dallas police to investigate. And had no further comment. The zoo said that over the past 10 days, it has “substantially” increased security measures. Including limiting access to the outer enclosures and adding cameras and overnight guards. . It plans to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment. According to the statement.
“We want everyone to know how seriously we take the safety and security of our animals. Our staff and our campus,” the zoo said.
Nova
Nova, a 3-year-old clouded leopard, escaped from her enclosure on January 13. His escape — which the zoo declared a “serious situation” just after 8 a.m. that day. Prompted a “Code Blue,” indicating a non-dangerous animal was on the loose. And prompted zoo officials to close the facility.
Zoo experts noted at the time that the clouded leopard posed no danger to humans. Still, authorities were unsure of the cat’s size — which turned out to be 25 pounds. And sent a police department SWAT team to help capture him.
“To set some minds at ease, if he gets out of his place, this animal is no more dangerous to pets. Than the North Texas native animals that roam our neighborhood. But if you feel more comfortable bringing a pet inside, please Do it,” the zoo wrote on Facebook.
Around 4:40 p.m., a “rogue” squirrel signaled zoo staff members to its “hunkered down hiding place”. about 100 yards from its habitat, the zoo said.
Langur monkey
The day after Nova escaped, zoo officials said an incision. Appeared to have been made in her wire mesh enclosure. Dallas police have opened a criminal investigation, and zoo staff members showed. Investigators similar intentional cuts in the enclosure. Where the langur monkeys live, the police department said.
The zoo’s statement said. A veterinary team trying to determine the cause of death found. “Unusual lacerations and injuries. Making it not a natural death”.
The zoo said on Facebook that its animal care team was “heartbroken” by the death of the vulture. Which had spent most of its life at the facility and hatched 11 chicks.
“Given the recent events at the zoo, we have alerted the Dallas Police Department,” the post said. “We cannot share many details until the Dallas PD has more time to look into this matter.“
In a statement Monday, the police department said. Patrol officers and animal cruelty detectives responded. and began conducting interviews and reviewing security video.
Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn King Arnold tried. To reassure residents, saying in a statement. He encouraged visitors to report suspicious activity to authorities.