Elephant escapes after dropping log on electric fence

11.45am

Burma, one of Auckland Zoo's two elephants, enjoyed a brief taste of freedom this morning after dropping a large log in her enclosure on to an electric fence, the zoo said.

Burma's escape disrupted morning rush hour traffic, with police and fire service personnel closing nearby roads and on-ramps to the northwestern motorway as a precaution.

After spending 25 minutes in Western Springs Park outside the zoo confines, the 21-year-old animal was brought back under the control of staff, who walked her back to her enclosure.

Zoo director Glen Holland said the incident began when Burma dropped the log to make the electric fence inactive.

The elephant then climbed into a moat and walked along the zoo fenceline.

Members of the public notified a zoo staff member at 7.25am that Burma was outside her enclosure and four elephant keepers were at the scene within minutes.

At 7.40am, Burma crashed through a gate, gaining access to the park outside the zoo and shortly afterwards was seen in the bush patch directly above the elephant paddock.

But at 8.05am, she was back under the direct control of the zoo's elephant team, who walked her back.

She was secured within her enclosure and reunited with the zoo's other elephant, Kashin, by 8.25am.

Mr Holland said there was no damage to property, apart from the fence, and no injury to people or to Burma.

"She was, however, a little shaken and both the girls were clearly happy to be reunited."

He said both Burma and Kashin were under the direct control of staff during the day.

However, during warm summer nights, they were allowed access to their outdoor enclosure overnight.

Mr Holland said zoo management had discussed the incident with police and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the agencies that were the first points of call in the event of an animal escape.

"While procedures can always be tweaked, all three parties concerned are satisfied with the way it was handled, and the result," he said.

"At this stage, zoo management are looking at strengthening the fence line."

Until this was done, both elephants would be secured indoors overnight and under direct control of staff.

"Over the next few days staff will be particularly vigilant to ensure that Burma does not attempt to re-enact her escapade," Mr Holland said.

"There are no signs of trauma to Burma as a result of this event, and she appears to be back to her usual self."

- NZPA