Leopard tranquilized, captured after escaping exhibit due to human error, a South Carolina zoo says

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The Greenville Zoo in South Carolina said “human error” led to a leopard named Irina escaping from her enclosure on Thursday. She has since been captured and returned to her enclosure.

Video above: Dispatch audio released after leopard escapes from Greenville Zoo

In a statement made at 5:40 p.m., the zoo wrote, “Providing you with an additional update. The zoo has determined that Irina left her enclosure as a result of human error and has adjusted procedures to ensure it does not happen again.

The Greenville Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for 38 years. AZA accreditation is the global gold standard for modern zoos and aquariums. The zoo director has been in communication with AZA leadership, who shared these comments. ‘AZA accreditation requires member facilities to conduct mandatory drills each year including animal escape drills. The incident this morning shows the preparedness and professionalism of the Greenville Zoo team resulting in the safety of all guests, staff and the animal,’ said Dan Ashe, president and CEO for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. ‘No entity is immune from human error, It is just that – human. As an AZA-accredited facility, we are confident that Greenville Zoo will investigate, learn and continue to strive for excellence.’

“The zoo will reopen tomorrow.

“To clarify, I have seen some reports that it was Greenville Police who tranquilized Irina; it was not, it was the zoo veterinarian.”

Sister station WYFF reports that earlier in the day, at 9:45 a.m. Thursday, the zoo said that Irina, a four-year-old Amur leopard, left her enclosure earlier this morning and was loose within the zoo grounds.

The zoo on Thursday morning said city staff and Greenville Police responded. A perimeter was established according to zoo emergency protocols. Zoo staff and guests were evacuated to strategic locations as a precaution. At approximately 9:20, Greenville Zoo emergency response teams were able to successfully tranquilize Irina. After a precautionary second injection, she was transported back to the secured leopard den.

WYFF reports that the zoo said Thursday morning that its male leopard and two cubs were safe inside their exhibit, and that there was never a danger to the public.