Missing Leopard Causes Brief Scare at Turtle Back Zoo

A missing leopard at Essex County's Turtle Back Zoo required the county to issue a red alert shortly after the zoo opened Sunday, though the leopard was found a short time later inside its enclosure.

The missing leopard caused confusion and excitement at the zoo on Northfield Avenue, which was crowded with visitors during the Labor Day weekend.

Patrons said they were told to exit the zoo and several people could be seen leaving quickly.

Frank Deluccia, of West Orange, said, "They just told us to leave, so now my family is going to go spend the rest of the day barbecuing."

Boris Soko, of Wayne, said, "I brought my grandchildren to the zoo and now I'm not sure really what to do, because this was my plan all day. So, now I have to look for a place to go with kids."

No injuries occurred and at no time was the leopard loose from its enclosure or among the people visiting the zoo. The Essex County Sheriff's Office responded quickly to the red alert and put the zoo on lockdown around 11:30 a.m.

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. arrived to the zoo shortly after the red alert was issued. He said during a routine morning check of the animals that the zookeeper couldn't find the leopard. As is standard procedure, the zoo issued a red alert shortly after the zoo opened at 11 a.m.

A short time later, the zoo staff found the leopard in its holding cell. The leopard was tranquilized and all of the gates of the enclosure were checked to make sure they were secure. DiVincenzo said once it was determined that the animal was secured, the zoo was re-opened.

He emphasized that there were no injuries and at no time was the public in danger.