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By Liz O'Connell
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A chimpanzee escaped its enclosure on Friday morning at the Indianapolis Zoo, forcing a lockdown for visitors for about two hours before the team managed to sedate and return her to the exhibit.
The Indianapolis Zoo went into lockdown around 10 a.m. on Friday after the female chimpanzee was spotted outside her exhibit, the zoo said in a press release. The Indianapolis Fire Department responded to the call.
Following emergency protocol, the zoo went into lockdown immediately. Guests were escorted to secure locations, including other exhibits, such as the dolphin area, The Indianapolis Star reported. A bus driver posted to social media that he was at the zoo with children for a field trip, but that post has since been deleted, according to the outlet.
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The zoo reported that there were no injuries to guests, staff, or the animals, and the zoo has since reopened, resuming normal operations.
"The Zoo's security, animal care, and veterinary teams train for these scenarios and responded in a textbook and professional manner," the post read.
Newsweek reached out to the Indianapolis Zoo via email and phone on Friday for comment.
Indianapolis Chimpanzee Exhibit
The Indianapolis Zoo is home to the Penny & Jock Fortune International Chimpanzee Complex, which comprises three distinct areas for the chimpanzees, according to the zoo's website. The areas are connected by an overhead, enclosed trail that stretches 1,325 feet across the zoo, allowing these animals to roam freely from place to place.
Chimpanzees are humans' closest living relative. These great apes and humans share about 98 percent of the same genes, making them a critical component in studying human biology, evolution and behavior.
As of 2024, 21 chimpanzees live at the zoo.
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Internet Reacts
The zoo's update on the situation quickly garnered attention online, amassing over 4,000 likes, 413 shares and 200 comments on Facebook within an hour of posting. People expressed relief knowing no one was injured, after uncertainty early on in the investigation caused concern.
"I’m so glad no one (including the chimp) was hurt," wrote one Facebook user.
"So glad the report of an animal bite was untrue. The chimps are the best part of the zoo! Keep up the good job," another person commented.
"Great job with swift action, keeping everyone safe," a third commenter wrote.
Others questioned what the zoo would do to ensure the safety of both animals and guests going forward.
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