A sea lion at the Central Park Zoo briefly escaped its enclosure on Friday due to flooding caused by heavy rain.
The sea lion, a female named Sally, was able to swim out of her pool and onto the zoo grounds. Zoo staff were able to corral Sally back into her enclosure without any injuries.
Sally eventually returned to her enclosure, which she shares with two other sea lions, according to a statement from Jim Breheny, executive vice president of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Zoos and Aquarium.
Breheny said the female sea lion didn’t swim too far from her habitat and never left the sight of zoo personnel.
“Zoo staff monitored the sea lion as she explored the area before returning to the familiar surroundings of the pool and the company of the other two sea lions,” said Breheny.
“No staff or visitors were in danger and the sea lion remained inside the zoo, never breaching the zoo’s secondary perimeter,” Breheny said.
New York City’s Central Park Zoo, a 6.5-acre zoo located at the southeast corner of Central Park, was one of the four zoos and one aquarium that closed due to the severe weather. Breheny said the Bronx Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and New York Aquarium were also closed “so staff could focus on the animals and our facilities during the storm.”
“Animal care staff will continue to monitor the situation throughout the duration of the weather event,” he added.
The New York Police Department Central Park Precinct said in a Sept. 29 update that the Central Park Zoo “remains closed due to the heavy rain & flooding.” They have yet to give an update on when it will officially reopen.
The Central Park Zoo is one of the most popular zoos in the world. It is home to over 1,400 animals from all over the world. The zoo is a popular destination for tourists and New Yorkers alike.
Severe flooding in New York on Friday caused drenched streets, flooded homes and ankle-deep water at LaGuardia Airport. The deluge also gave one sea lion named Sally an opportunity: to briefly escape her enclosure at Central Park Zoo. https://t.co/hReK2co2aR
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) October 1, 2023
Source: Today
