CINCINNATI, Ohio — A polar bear breached its “behind the scenes” containment area at the Cincinnati Zoo on Wednesday.
According to zoo officials, the incident happened around 11:30 a.m. Visitors are “safe” and there have been no reported injuries to workers, visitors, or animals.
“At approximately 11:30am, Wednesday, March 16, 2016 our female polar bear Berit breached a behind the scenes containment area but was never loose in the zoo. The situation is ongoing and under control,” the zoo said in a statement. “There is no risk to staff or visitors in the park, but as a precaution guests were moved indoors. Visitors are safe to leave the park if they choose. There are no injuries to animal staff or visitors. We are currently working on resolving the situation.
Polar bear Berit breached behind the scenes area but was never loose in zoo. Situation is ongoing & under control- visitors & staff are safe
— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) March 16, 2016
Some who say they were at the zoo during the incident took to social media shortly after learning what had happened:
Nothing like going to the Cincinnati Zoo and being on lock down due to a polar bear on the loose!
— Brooke Ann Johnson (@Brookeann_M) March 16, 2016
Polar bear just got out at the #CincinnatiZoo. We're hiding in the monkey house.
— Kevin C. Sullivan (@HeyImKevinSully) March 16, 2016
Apparently the polar bear at the #CincinnatiZoo is contained but we're still looking at monkey butts.
— Kevin C. Sullivan (@HeyImKevinSully) March 16, 2016
