In an unexpected turn of events, four female raccoons have made a daring escape from the Amazon World Zoo Park on the Isle of Wight, prompting an unusual and entertaining search mission involving tracker dogs and drones.
These raccoons appear to have broken free from their compound overnight, sparking immediate concern among zoo staff. The Isle of Wight community has been urged to assist in the search by checking common hiding spots like sheds and bonfire piles. The raccoons are part of the zoo’s exotic animal showcase, and their escape has captured local and social media interest. Supervisors at the zoo have reassured residents that the animals are ‘not normally aggressive’ and advised against approaching them directly if sighted.
Rowena Welsh, a supervisor at Amazon World Zoo Park, emphasized, ‘Everyone is out searching and we have tracker dogs and drones looking for them. They are not dangerous and would be more frightened of us than we would be of them.’ Meanwhile, posts on Facebook from the zoo echo this sentiment, reiterating the raccoons’ non-aggressive nature but highlighting their potential fright due to unfamiliar surroundings.
These nocturnal creatures are known for their distinctive black ‘mask’ and bushy-banded tails, making them relatively easy to identify during the night. The zoo’s plea extends to asking locals to check potential daytime hiding spots, noting that raccoons become active at dusk, a detail that could prove crucial in locating them.
Amazon World Zoo Park holds the largest collection of exotic animals on the Isle of Wight, and while the raccoons’ escapade is a temporary surprise, the zoo maintains a composed approach, focusing on their prompt and safe return. In an island known for its picturesque landscapes and leisurely pace, this break from the norm brings an added dash of excitement to the community.
As the search continues across the Isle of Wight, locals remain on high alert, scanning their gardens and outbuildings in hopes of spotting the elusive raccoons. With the combined efforts of technology and community vigilance, there is optimism that the raccoons will soon be safely back in their enclosure, concluding this unexpected adventure.
Source: News.sky
