Elephant unharmed after brief escape from BioPark Zoo habitat

ABQ BioPark’s Alice the elephant is OK after escaping from her habitat area on Sunday morning.

At about 7:30 a.m., the 52-year-old Asian elephant was found by zoo security outside her habitat area munching on plants and trees. Staff members arrived 10 minutes later where they initiated emergency response protocol, according to BioPark news release. 

According to the zoo, Sunday was the first time an animal escaped from its habitat.

“The BioPark routinely runs drills to practice response to all types of emergencies, and today, the staff executed that protocol perfectly,” the news release states. “Because the elephant care team has developed a deep and trusting bond with Alice, she walked safely and calmly back to her habitat when called.”

No other elephants left the habitat — including Alice’s daughter Rozie — and no one was injured, according to the zoo.

“Alice has no injuries but will remain under close monitoring by animal care staff,” the release states.

The incident caused the zoo to open at 9:30 a.m., a half-hour later than normal, “while paths were cleared of debris from where Alice ate plants and trees in the vicinity of her habitat,” according to BioPark.

The fencing that was destroyed has been secured “with repairs and reinforcement underway,” the news release states.

The zoo later announced it “will review today's incident carefully,” but “since our protocol worked exactly as we intended, major changes are not necessary.”

Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.