By Canadian Press

Muskox gets out of enclosure at Winnipeg zoo, but can’t make great escape

May 31, 2017 | 2:00 PM

Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Park Zoo is investigating how a muskox got out of its enclosure.

It happened Friday when a 200 lb. male muskox escaped its holding area, though it didn’t get out of a secondary containment area.

“What we do know is that after the fact, the gate was partially open and we have not been able to identify mechanical failure at this point,” said zoo spokesman Gary Lunsford.

The zoo said no one was at risk during the incident. Staff sedated and relocated the animal quickly.

This isn’t the first time an animal at the zoo has ended up somewhere it wasn’t supposed to be.

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In 2014, just days after the Journey to Churchill exhibit opened, some grey wolves tunneled into the polar bear pen.

No animals were hurt and the wolves were moved out of the exhibit before any visitors arrived.

“We initiated an emergency response, and the emergency response team was on site within minutes and sedated the animal directly after,” said Lunsford.

Zoo officials said the muskox broke one of its horns off while it was recovering from sedation. They said the animal is doing well under veterinary care.

The group that accredits the Assiniboine Park Zoo said it is aware of the incident with the muskox.

“It is a testament to the zoo’s dedicated staff and emergency protocols which enabled the facility to respond to the situation quickly without harm,” said Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums.

“As per CAZA’s standards on emergency protocol, the Assiniboine Park Zoo will be submitting formal documentation to CAZA’s national office outlining the details of the matter and what steps are being taken to ensure the incident is not repeated.”

Muskox are Arctic mammals that roam the tundra in search of roots, mosses and lichen.

There are five in the zoo’s Journey to Churchill exhibit.

(CTV Winnipeg)

The Canadian Press