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Antelope jumps fence, prompts brief shutdown at Baton Rouge Zoo
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BATON ROUGE- The Baton Rouge Zoo was temporarily closed Tuesday morning after a scared animal escaped its enclosure.
BREC officials confirmed a small Nile Lechwe, an endangered species of antelope, got loose Tuesday morning. A Zoo spokesperson said the animal was "spooked" by something and managed to jump a fence, prompting the zoo to shut down for about 30 minutes.
The antelope was eventually sedated and moved to a non-viewing closure without any significant injuries. Visitors were herded to a secure area until the animal was captured.
A portion of the railing around the animal's exhibit was broken during the escape. Crews are now working to repair the enclosure.
It's the second instance in about a month's time that an animal has gotten loose at the zoo. Last month, a small primate escaped its enclosure. The zoo is still looking into that escape, an official told WBRZ Tuesday.
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