The wolves found outside their enclosure at the Greater Vancouver Zoo on Tuesday appear to have been released on purpose, according to authorities.
The Greater Vancouver Zoo issued a statement Tuesday afternoon calling the animals’ escape suspicious and suggesting it was due to “malicious intent.”
“Langley RCMP is investigating what appears to be trespassing and vandalism,” zoo officials said in the statement.
The zoo is home to 15 wolves, including six newborn pups, but officials have not confirmed how many made it out of their enclosure.
Zoo officials said most have recovered, but a “small number” were still on the loose as of Tuesday afternoon. They suggested the wolves pose no danger to the public, but asked anyone who sees one in the area to contact the RCMP and the BC Service Conservation Officers.
This is a developing story and will be updated. Follow the story above.
After the wolves escaped from their enclosure on Tuesday, people hoping to visit the Greater Vancouver Zoo were turned away at the gates.
According to a spokesperson for the BC Conservation Officers Service, officers were called in to “recover” an unspecified number of the escaped canines. The zoo’s website says it houses a total of 15 animals, including six newborn cubs.
“According to the zoo, there is still one wolf on the loose. The zoo is working to recover the animal,” an email to CTV News read.
“If members of the public identify the wolf, they are encouraged to keep their distance and report the animal immediately.”
The BCCOS spokesperson later clarified that the wolf actually escaped the grounds entirely and that no one was injured.
The Greater Vancouver Zoo has yet to issue a detailed statement on the incident, posting a short message on Instagram and Facebook stories informing people of the closure.
“Important announcement for all Zoo visitors. The Greater Vancouver Zoo will be closed for today,” the post read, with an image of the closed doors.
“Thank you for understanding!”
At the zoo, RCMP and conservation officers were seen in a parking lot. In the afternoon, guests were turned away at the main entrance of the zoo, which was closed.
A person who tried to visit the zoo Tuesday morning told CTV News Vancouver that they were turned away due to an “animal problem.” They said no one was allowed into the park “due to public safety.”
A park attendant said they had not been given any details about the incident.
CTV News Vancouver has contacted the Greater Vancouver Zoo and the BC Conservation Officer Service for more information, but has not received a response.
Over the years, the zoo has been the subject of various complaints and criticisms. More recently, the Vancouver Humane Society investigated animal cruelty complaints filed by the Vancouver Humane Society.
In March, a statement from the Greater Vancouver Zoo about the allegations said it “learned about an op-ed” about the facility.
“The Greater Vancouver Zoo takes the health and welfare of animals very seriously,” the statement said.
“As an (Accredited Canada Zoo and Aquarium and World Association of Zoos and Aquariums) facility, we meet and exceed all provincial and federal requirements.”
back in 2019, the humane society filed a similar report alleging animal cruelty.
According to a study conducted by Research Co. last year on behalf of the humane society, just under half of BC residents support keeping animals in permanent captivity for entertainment and education. However, 89 percent are against the international trade in wild and exotic animals for the purpose of keeping them on permanent captive display.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.