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| Endangered wolf escapes from
Battle Creek zoo
The Associated Press 1/6/2004, 8:54 p.m. ET BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (AP) - An endangered Mexican gray wolf remained on the loose Tuesday after escaping from Binder Park Zoo. Three wolves escaped from their enclosure through a small hole they stretched in their exhibit fence early Saturday morning. Two wolves quickly were recaptured, but one climbed the zoo's 9-foot perimeter fence and got away. The missing 19-month-old male wolf was born at the zoo. It likely is trying to find its way home, Greg Geise, Binder Park Zoo's president and chief executive officer, told the Battle Creek Enquirer. "We are very distressed by this event and are working hard to get the animal back," Geise said. "I understand the concerns and anxiety felt by local residents and want to assure them that this animal should not be considered a threat to them or their families." The wolf is light gray with light brown on the bridge of its nose, has fluffy fur on both its face and body and weighs about 60 pounds. Geise said if residents do come into contact with the wolf, they should not try to approach or capture it, but should immediately contact the zoo. Killing or injuring a Mexican gray wolf is a violation of the Federal Endangered Species Act. "This is not a situation that is taken lightly at Binder Park Zoo," Geise said. "We are very concerned for the safety of this animal, and we are taking every possible measure to see that it is returned safely." The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service owns the wolf and two service biologists who specialize in wolves are aiding in the search, Geise said. "I know of no other instance when wolves have stretched the chain link mesh and have been able to escape," he said. "We will be sharing this information with zoos across the country." Copyright 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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