Wolf killed after escaping at Minnesota Zoo

Published 3:18 pm Wednesday, June 8, 2011

APPLE VALLEY, Minn. (AP) — A Mexican wolf was shot and killed after it escaped from its enclosure at the Minnesota Zoo in suburban Apple Valley.

Zoo spokeswoman Kelly Lessard says the wolf got out on to the zoo’s Northern Trail and ventured over to a bison area. She says the area was evacuated, the wolf was located and then shot and killed because it was considered a direct threat to people.

Mary Woestehoff, of Richfield, tells the Star Tribune she saw the wolf running down a path about 10:30 a.m., prompting her to scoop up her 18-month-old daughter. She says she went to an emergency phone and reported the loose animal.

No people were hurt and the wolf never left the zoo grounds.

Lessard says zoo officials are investigating how the 8-year-old male escaped.