‘Extremely sturdy’ bear breaks via metal, escapes enclosure at St. Louis Zoo for second time

An Andean bear named Ben was in a position to maneuver out of his enclosure on the St. Louis Zoo on Thursday for the second time this month.

The 4-year-old bear, described as “curious” and “extremely sturdy,” was was in a position to break via the stainless-steel clips, which had been added to his habitat earlier this month after his first escape, NBC Information studies.

Roughly 50 minutes after being reported lacking, Ben was discovered within the zoo’s River’s Edge space. He was safely tranquilized and returned to his indoor holding space till additional discover.

“Getting out of a habitat as soon as? Curious. Getting out a second time via the stainless-steel? He’s not solely curious however extremely sturdy and adventurous,” mentioned Billy Brennan, Director of Public Relations and Authorities Affairs for the St. Louis Zoo, in a press release to the Every day Information.

Brennan says the zoo is now coordinating with inside and exterior events, such because the Affiliation of Zoos and Aquariums, to make sure Ben doesn’t escape a 3rd time.

In the intervening time, Ben will stay in his “behind-the-scenes space,” which is temperature-controlled and never open to the general public. Whereas there, the zoo is administering Ben his correct dietary meals and giving him his enrichment time.

“He’s good. He’s doing very effectively,” mentioned Brennan. “We’re ensuring he’s a contented bear.”

Upon his escape, visitors and workers members had been moved indoors and nobody is alleged to have been harmed.

Andean bears are native to the Andes-Amazon mountain area, and estimates recommend that fewer than 18,000 of them now survive within the wild, studies the Wildlife Conservation Society.