For immediate release
Contact: Gina Stiles, 904-757-4463, ext. 210

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Thwarts Tapir Escape

July 13, 2007 - Jacksonville, FL – Because of quick and very affective action taken by staff at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, a Tapir—normally a shy, non-aggressive animal—that had charged through a fence into a behind the scenes area at the Zoo, was safely secured without incident Wednesday just after the Zoo opened.  The incident occurred after the Tapir, located in an exhibit in the Range of the Jaguar, was startled by a loud noise from a falling branch.  He was contained by a barricade of plywood boards behind him and was safely lured back into his holding area with food. At no time was the public in danger.  The Zoo has installed a double fence for now and is looking into a long-term solution.

” We’re very proud of how our staff handled this challenging situation, said Delfi Messinger, director of animal programs at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.  “This was a true test for us after going through Incident Command System training and having regular animal escape drills over the past year.”

The Baird Tapir (Tapirus bairdii) is the largest land mammal from Mexico to South America, and among the most primitive large mammals in the world.  Their closest living relatives are horses and rhinoceroses.  They are solitary animals, and are both browsers and grazers, feeding on grasses, aquatic vegetation, leaves, etc.  When disturbed, they usually flee, crashing through undergrowth and often seeking refuge in water.  Tapirs are the primary prey for Jaguars. 

For over 90 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has been dedicated to inspiring the discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experience in a caring environment.  Starting in 1914 with an animal collection that consisted of one red deer fawn, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has grown to house more than 1,400 rare and exotic animals and over 1,000 unique plant species.  The Zoo is a non-profit organization and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  Located on Jacksonville’s north side two miles off I-95, the Zoo is open year-round, 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  The Zoo is open until 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays from March to Labor Day. For more information on the Zoo, log on to www.jacksonvillezoo.org.

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