The roof of the escaped habitat of the Zoo Audubon Zoo has been "compromised", says zoo

The roof of the enclosure where Valerio the Jaguar has escaped the Audubon Zoo has been "compromised", according to a Saturday afternoon update (July 14) of the rulers of the zoo. An investigation is underway to determine exactly how the 3-year-old jaguar came out, killing six animals and injuring three others.

Zoo officials did not specify how the roof had been compromised or what type of damage had been suffered. A request for more details has not been returned immediately.

No animals will be housed in the habitat until the investigation and repairs are completed, according to a press release.

The zoo was closed Saturday after Valerio after a staff member of the zoo realized that the young jaguar was not in his pen around 7:20 am. The jaguar was sedated around 8:15 and brought to a safe habitat. No human injuries have been reported, but the zoo staff regrets the loss of six animals, including four alpacas, a fox and an emu.

It is unclear what may have resulted in the inclusion of Valerio's paddock. Parts of the Jaguar Jungle Zoo area were renovated in March, but Valerio's precinct has not been updated, said Kyle Burks, vice president and general manager of the zoo. Audubon

"Our animals are our family. this loss, "the statement said." The safety of our guests, staff, volunteers and animals is our number one priority. We take this incident very seriously and are working to investigate what happened. to prevent a similar event in the future. "

Maggie Mae the fox Elmo the emu and four alpacas – Noel, Micia, Alexandria and Lil Melody – did not survive their encounter with Valerio. Other animals were injured – an alpaca named Daisy and two foxes, Copper and Rusty.

The Audubon Zoo houses another jaguar, a female Ix Chel who was in a separate interior habitat during the incident Valerio is housed in his night quarters and Ix Chel is also housed in a secure compound while the investigation is over and improvements are being made.

Zoo officials say exercises are performed annually louse These types of incidents and protocols are in place to process them quickly and securely.

Despite the tragedy, zoo officials do not blame Valerio for following his natural instincts.

"He was doing what jaguars do, his behavior was not unusual for this kind of animal, just a normal jaguar as far as we're concerned," said Joe Hamilton, vice president and general curator of the zoo.

The jaguar's habitat will remain closed Sunday, but the rest of the zoo will be open to the public at 10 pm. The grief counsel will be offered to the zoo staff, the statement said.

"It's sad day for the Audubon family, including our staff, volunteers, supporters and our community," the statement said. "We appreciate the mbadive support and the many condolences of the community on social media."