Around 7:20 a.m., an adult male jaguar escaped its habitat, according to officials. Authorities say the zoo was closed to the public at the time of the escape.
Staff and security were able to sedate the jaguar by 8:15 a.m., but authorities said four alpacas, an emu, and a fox who were in nearby exhibits were attacked and did not survive. According to officials, no people were injured.
"The animal care team is devastated by this tragic loss," Audubon Zoo Communications Specialist Frank Donze said. "Today is a difficult day for the Audubon family. The Zoo will be closed today, July 14 and will reopen tomorrow, July 15 at 10 a.m."
Sorry for the other critters, but it's happening right now out in the Amazon Rain Forest. That's why it would have been wrong to kill the poor critter. That's his nature, and he's been deprived of attacking live prey his entire life - sadly, it appears, he was just trying to make up for lost time.
Try stopping me from surfing!
And you gotta admit, that's one beautiful cat! (Obviously a 'tom'.)
R.C.