SALISBURY, MD - One of the Salisbury Zoo’s iconic bison caused a commotion today after she broke through part of her fencing to snack on bamboo.
According to a social media post from the Zoo Thursday night, one of the two bison broke part of the interior fencing surrounding their exhibit while playing with it. The bison then used the opening to snack on the bamboo outside the fence line, leaving the exhibit area. The Zoo says she remained contained within the second barrier of fencing surrounding the enclosure.
Following the Salisbury Zoo’s animal escape protocols, Zoo-goers were evacuated and staff immediately responded, the Zoo says. A recall device, which the Zoo says both bison respond to, was used to call the bison back into the exhibit. Staff contained the two while a more durable fence was installed, according to the social media post.
The Zoo says no one was injured during the bison’s brief excursion.
“The Salisbury Zoo has an extensive safety program and protocols for many different emergency scenarios,” the Salisbury Zoo said. “The entire staff, along with volunteers, practice the safety protocols monthly in real-time drills.”
Salisbury Zoo’s bison, Opal Lee and Ruby Jean celebrated their 5th birthday in May. The animals are native to North America and today are mostly found in the wild and captivity on the prairies of North America. It was not immediately clear whether it was Opal or Ruby who damaged the fence and enjoyed the bamboo.