Elephant Goes for a Walk, Delays New Mexico Zoo Opening

You expect a zoo to open a little late because of weather, maybe maintenance, or maybe even a big crowd. But an elephant going for a casual stroll before opening? That’s a new one.

That’s exactly what happened at the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo, where a 52-year-old Asian elephant named Alice decided to start her day with a little adventure- temporarily delaying the zoo’s opening.

New Mexico Zoo Opening Delayed After Elephant Wanders Off

The zoo pushed back its opening by about 30 minutes after staff realized Alice had made her way out of her habitat overnight! And she didn’t exactly sneak out quietly.

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Officials say she broke the welds on a section of the steel perimeter fence before heading out, which is honestly impressive and slightly terrifying all at the same time.

Elephant Found Wandering Zoo Grounds in New Mexico

Staff located Alice around 7:30 a.m., walking along a path inside the zoo grounds, thankfully alone and unharmed.

Once she was spotted, the team quickly activated its emergency response plan to safely bring her back. Staff say she responded quickly when called and calmly made her way back, which really speaks to the bond she has with her care team.

And while the situation could have been stressful, it sounds like Alice wasn’t in a rush, more like she was just taking in the sights. If anything, I think the staff ruined her morning stroll!

No injuries were reported, and according to the BioPark, this is the first time something like this has ever happened. Zoo officials believe Alice may have simply been curious and testing boundaries a bit.

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Part of the habitat remained closed as crews work to repair the fence and figure out how to prevent this from happening again.

A New Mexico Zoo Many El Pasoans Know Well

If you’ve ever made that road trip from El Paso to Albuquerque, chances are you’ve stopped by the BioPark Zoo.

It’s one of those go-to spots for a quick getaway, and it’s especially meaningful now considering the El Paso Zoo no longer has elephants. RIP Mona and Savannah!

Which is exactly why we must protect Alice at all costs!

Because while this story is a little funny and definitely unexpected, it’s also a reminder of how special these animals are, and how much care goes into keeping them safe.

And as for Alice? Safe to say she just wanted to get her steps in before the crowds showed up.