Bear Escapes from Saint Louis Zoo for Second Time in a Month

The Saint Louis Zoo has experienced an unexpected turn of events, as one of its Andean bears, named Ben, escaped from its enclosure twice in one month. The first incident occurred in February, before the zoo's opening hours, and the second happened on a Thursday afternoon. According to KMOV, a CBS news affiliate in St. Louis, the second escape had Ben being outside its enclosure for around 50 minutes. Guests were urged to stay inside during a lockdown while the bear was located, tranquilized, and then released back into its natural environment.

The zoo issued a Facebook post stating that no evidence of human fault or tampering led to the bear's escape from its outdoor habitat. Instead, the post claimed that the bear was interested and managed to meddle with the steel mesh of the outdoor habitat in just the right spot, causing a cable to give way, which allowed it to escape. The zoo's director, Michael Macek, reported to Newsweek that the bear ran for the first time by tearing at the clips that attach the stainless-steel mesh to the enclosure's door. The zoo used nearly 1000 metal twist tie-like clips to secure the chamber after the first incident, which can withstand up to 450 pounds.

However, during the second escape, Ben, who Macek described as a young and "adventurous" bear, managed to break two clips within 30 minutes while the zookeeper was on a lunch break. The opening created by the bear was only around 13-15 inches in diameter, but it was enough for the 4-year-old bear, weighing approximately 280 pounds, to squeeze through. The zoo is planning to consult with other accredited parks as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to develop new ways to keep the bear inside its enclosure.

The recent incidents have raised concerns among animal welfare activists, as several similar incidents have occurred at different zoos nationwide. For example, the Dallas Zoo made national headlines last month after a clouded leopard, two emperor tamarin monkeys, and an endangered vulture went missing from their enclosures. The Dallas Police Department later arrested a suspect concerning the missing monkeys found a day after their disappearance at a residence in Lancaster, Texas.

Such incidents indicate the need for more stringent safety measures and protocols to ensure the safety of both animals and visitors at zoos and other wildlife facilities. In recent years, zoos have tried improving their animal welfare standards and minimizing the risks of keeping wild animals in captivity. Ben's escape serves as a reminder of the possible dangers present in zoo surroundings, but it is clear that there is still room for improvement.

One solution that has been proposed to address the issue of animal escapes is the use of newer, more robust materials in the construction of enclosures. For example, some zoos are experimenting with Kevlar netting, which is stronger and more flexible than traditional steel mesh. This material has been used in constructing tiger enclosures at the Denver Zoo, and the results have been promising.

Another approach zoos are taking is providing animals with more engaging and stimulating environments to reduce the risk of boredom and frustration, which can lead to escape attempts. This approach is based on "enrichment," which provides animals with opportunities to engage in natural behaviors and interact meaningfully with their environment. This approach has successfully reduced escape attempts and improved animal welfare in zoos worldwide.

In conclusion, the recent escape of the Andean bear named Ben from its enclosure at the Saint Louis Zoo for the second time in one month highlights the need for more stringent safety measures and protocols in zoos.