UPDATE: 5:45 p.m.
The Dallas Zoo shared with the public Friday evening that Nova, the clouded leopard who went missing from her enclosed habitat earlier in the day, was located still at the zoo around 4:40 p.m. Central Time.
According to information shared by the zoo on social media, she is being evaluated by staff vets. The zoo says Nova appears to be uninjured, but spokespeople will provide status updates Saturday.
ABC News is reporting that Dallas police and zoo officials believe the fence to Nova's enclosure was "intentionally cut."
"It was their belief and it is our belief that this was an intentional act," Dallas Police Sgt. Warren Mitchell told reporters during a Friday press briefing. "And so we have started a criminal investigation."
We are thrilled to report we located clouded leopard Nova on-grounds at the Zoo this afternoon at approximated 4:40 p.m. She was located very near the original habitat, and teams were able to safely secure her just before 5:15 p.m. pic.twitter.com/XucvBrQO4V
— Dallas Zoo (@DallasZoo) January 13, 2023
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ORIGINAL STORY:
The Dallas Zoo remained closed on Friday after officials said a clouded leopard escaped from its habitat.
"One of our clouded leopards was not in its habitat when the team arrived this morning and is unaccounted for at this time," the zoo tweeted on Friday.
The Zoo is closed today due to a serious situation.
— Dallas Zoo (@DallasZoo) January 13, 2023
Zoo officials believe the animal is hiding and has not escaped the grounds.
The Dallas Police Department has been called in to assist in the search.
"Our focus right now is on locating the animal," the zoo stated.
According to the Smithsonian's National Zoo, wild clouded leopards are found in Southeast Asia. They can reportedly weigh up to 50 pounds. However, the zoo says the leopard that escaped is about 25 pounds.
"It is bigger than a house cat and smaller than most bobcats," the zoo stated.
Clouded leopards are not considered endangered. However, they are labeled as "vulnerable" species
