The Dallas Zoo Is Investigating an 'Unusual' Vulture Death Days After Clouded Leopard's Escape

Kelli Bender
·2 min read
Dallas Zoo
Dallas Zoo

Tony Gutierrez/AP/Shutterstock

The Dallas Zoo is investigating another "unusual" incident.

On Jan. 22 — days after a clouded leopard briefly escaped from its enclosure at the Texas zoo — the facility announced on Facebook that one of the endangered vultures living in the zoo's Wilds of Africa habitats was found dead.

"The animal care team is heartbroken over this tremendous loss. Please keep them in your thoughts as they process what has happened," the Dallas Zoo shared.

The zoo is especially concerned about the vulture's death because of the mystery surrounding the incident.

"The circumstances of the death are unusual, and the death does not appear to be from natural causes. Given the recent incidents at the Zoo, we alerted the Dallas Police Department. We cannot share many details until Dallas PD has had more time to look into this matter," the Dallas Zoo added in its social media post about the late vulture.

RELATED: Fencing at a Dallas Zoo Monkey Habitat Cut the Same Day as Leopard's Escape, Police Say

The "incidents" the Dallas Zoo is referencing here are the recent escape of a clouded leopard and the discovery of cut fencing at a monkey habitat.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=540415921449824&set=a.206183841539702 Dallas Zoo eotorspdnSuhhgc h 0hf50cu5530f3aft542h 1 4f55c1g6f77aut1a8utu567 · We'll be sharing another update later early this evening, but in the meantime, for anyone in the areas surrounding the Zoo who may be curious or have concerns - This animal is an adult clouded leopard and weighs 25 lbs. Its habitat is a dense forest, and it is designed for life in the treetops. It is bigger than a house cat and smaller than most bobcats. If you think you see the animals, please do not approach the animal. We ask that you take a photo and DM the Dallas Zoo on social media. To set some minds at ease, if she has made her way off-grounds, this animal isn't a greater risk for pets than animals native to North Texas that roam our surrounding neighborhoods, but if you feel more comfortable bringing pets inside, please do. See less

Dallas Zoo

On Jan. 14, one of two clouded leopard sisters living at the zoo escaped her enclosure. The disappearance of the leopard — a female named Nova — forced the zoo to close while zookeepers and police officers searched for the animal. Luckily, Nova was found unharmed and safely returned to her habitat the same day as her disappearance.

Police continued investigating the feline's escape after Nova returned and found evidence that someone intentionally tampered with the clouded leopard's enclosure.

Dallas police reported that a cutting tool was used to make an opening in the fencing surrounding Nova's habitat. Following an investigation, the same type of cut was found in the area housing the Texas zoo's langurs, a small breed of monkey. Authorities added that they don't know yet if the two incidents are related.

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In response to these two incidents, the Dallas Zoo "added additional cameras throughout the Zoo and increased onsite security patrols during the overnight hours," according to the facility's post about the vulture's death.

"We will continue to implement and expand our safety and security measures to whatever level necessary to keep our animals and staff safe," the zoo added before concluding the post with a promise to "provide updates as we know more."