The Greater Vancouver Zoo issued a statement Tuesday afternoon, calling the animal escape suspicious and suggesting it was “due to malicious intent.” “Langley RCMP are investigating what appears to be trespassing and vandalism,” zoo officials said in a statement. The zoo’s website says there are usually 15 wolves held in captivity on the Langley property, including six cubs, but authorities have not publicly confirmed how many have escaped. Zoo officials said most had been recovered by Tuesday afternoon, but that a “small number” remained at large. They said the wolves are not a danger to the public. Families hoping to visit the zoo on Tuesday were turned away from the gates as staff, rangers and conservation officers responded to the breach. In an email, the BC Conservation Officer Service told CTV News that anyone who spots a wolf on the zoo’s grounds should “keep your distance” and report the animal immediately. There are no reports of attacks or injuries related to the escaped wolves. For the first several hours of the incident, the Greater Vancouver Zoo provided few details about what was happening, only posting a brief message on Instagram and Facebook informing the public of the closure. “Important announcement for all zoo visitors. The Greater Vancouver Zoo will be closed for today,” the post said, with a photo of the closed gates. “Thank you for understanding!” A zoo visitor told CTV News they were turned away because of a “problem with an animal” and said no one was allowed in the park for safety reasons. A park official said they had not been given details of the incident. Over the years, the zoo has been the subject of many complaints and criticisms. More recently, allegations of animal cruelty raised by the Vancouver Humane Society were investigated by the SPCA. In March, a statement from the Greater Vancouver Zoo about the allegations said it was “made aware of an opinion piece” about the facility. “The Greater Vancouver Zoo takes animal health and welfare very seriously,” the statement said. “As a facility (Accredited Zoo and Aquarium of Canada, and World Association of Zoos and Aquariums) we meet and exceed all provincial and federal requirements.” Back in 2019, the humane society filed a similar petition alleging animal cruelty. According to a study conducted by Research Co. last year on behalf of human society, just under half of the inhabitants of B.C. support keeping animals in permanent captivity for entertainment and education. However, 89 percent are against the international trade in exotic and wild animals for the purpose of keeping them in permanent captivity.
