Update: 18:04, Friday, January 13: The Dallas Zoo said Nova’s clouded leopard was found near her habitat around 4:40 p.m. Experts were able to secure her safely around 5:15 pm and she is being examined by veterinarians. She did not appear injured when she was first found, officials said.
Police told the Associated Press that evidence has been found that the fence of the small cat’s habitat was “deliberately” cut.
Update: 11:45, Friday, January 13: Dallas Zoo crews are still actively searching for the missing clouded leopard, which was reported on Friday, January 13th. The zoo said at a press conference that the “non-dangerous” cat Nova disappeared from its habitat and went missing this morning.
Harrison Edell, vice president of animal care at the Dallas Zoo, said clouded leopards are very different from other leopards, being much smaller, weighing around 30 pounds and not dangerous to humans. He said that Nova most likely climbed the tree to get out of the way and hunt squirrels and birds.
The Dallas Police Department and zoo officials are searching for Nova in the treetops using drones equipped with infrared technology.
Zoo officials said it had never kept clouded leopards before September 2021. Two sisters, Nova and Luna, joined the Dallas Zoo after moving from the Houston Zoo.
Officials believe that Nova is still at the zoo. If you spot a cat nearby that is larger than a domestic cat, officials are asking you to call the zoo.
Original story:
The Dallas Zoo issued a Code Blue and temporarily closed due to a reported missing leopard on Friday, January 13th. zoo tweeted around 10:15 that it was closed “due to a serious situation”.
Zoo officials said they issued a “code blue” for a “non-dangerous animal out of its habitat.” The zoo added that the Dallas Police Department is helping them find a clouded leopard that went missing when employees arrived this morning.
“Given the nature of these animals, we believe the animal is still on site and hiding,” the zoo tweeted. “We will share updates and additional information as soon as we can. Right now we’re focused on finding the animal.”
No further information was forthcoming.
