Fukuoka Zoo Apologizes After Young Elephant Escapes Enclosure Three Times
Fukuoka, Japan – Fukuoka City Zoo has issued an apologyafter a young Asian elephant escaped its outdoor enclosure three times during operating hours. The elephant, which arrived from Myanmar in July, escaped on August 18,20, and 23.
The elephant, measuring 170 centimeters in length and weighing one ton, is one of four Asianelephants brought to the zoo from Myanmar. According to the zoo, the elephant escaped through gaps in the enclosure’s fence. Fortunately, the elephant did not come into contact with any visitors, and there were no injuries reported.
Despitethe incidents, the zoo remained open to the public and did not inform the public about the escapes until after temporary measures were taken to seal the gaps in the fence on August 26.
We thought that because the elephants wereaccompanied by their mahouts from Myanmar, there would be no problem, said a spokesperson for the zoo. We deeply regret that our lack of consideration has caused great concern to visitors and others involved.
The zoo’s decision to remain open and not inform the public about the escapes has drawn criticism. Some havequestioned the zoo’s judgment, arguing that the safety of visitors should have been prioritized. Others have expressed concern about the welfare of the elephants, particularly the young one, who appears to be prone to escaping.
The incident has also raised questions about the zoo’s preparedness for handling such situations. While the zoo hasstated that it has taken steps to prevent future escapes, some experts have suggested that further measures are needed to ensure the safety of both the animals and the public.
It’s clear that the zoo’s current security measures are inadequate, said Dr. Kazuo Sato, a zoologist at Kyushu University.They need to invest in more robust fencing and implement a more comprehensive plan for handling animal escapes.
The incident has also sparked a debate about the ethics of keeping wild animals in captivity. Some animal rights activists have argued that zoos are inherently cruel and that the escape incidents highlight the dangers of keeping elephants in confined spaces.
This is a prime example of why zoos should not exist, said a spokesperson for the Animal Liberation Front. Elephants are intelligent and social animals who need vast spaces to roam freely. Confining them to small enclosures is simply inhumane.
The Fukuoka City Zoo has stated that it is committed to ensuring thesafety of its animals and visitors. The zoo is currently conducting a thorough review of its security protocols and is working to address the concerns raised by the recent incidents.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of keeping wild animals in captivity and the importance of ensuring the safety of both animals and visitors. Italso highlights the need for zoos to be transparent with the public about any incidents that occur and to take proactive steps to prevent future escapes.
【source】https://nwapi.nhk.jp/nhkworld/rdnewsweb/v6b/zh/detail/20240829_ML11.json
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