Los Angeles - Two orangutans have tried to escape from zoos in California and Florida but were both recaptured without any harm to themselves or zoo patrons, according to reports Monday. The incidents at the Los Angeles zoo and at Busch Gardens in Tampa Florida were unconnected.
The incident in Florida occurred when a 10-year-old primate escaped from a new exhibit by climbing over the exhibit's windows. Zookeepers coaxed her back with vanilla ice-cream, apples and carrots, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The accident occurred at night when no visitors were present.
In Los Angeles, a 29-year-old orangutan named Bruno managed to smash a hole in the mesh that surrounds his enclosure, forcing officials to evacuate some 3,000 visitors from the vicinity of the incident. However instead of making his way to freedom, Bruno simply went to a holding area behind his cage where keepers quickly approached the orangutan and sedated him.
"He was calm and responded well to the staff," zoo official Gina Dart told the Los Angeles Times. "He was never aggressive."
