Missing tigers recaptured after escaping tornado-damaged zoo, Georgia officials say
A drive-through safari zoo in Georgia said it has recaptured two tigers that escaped after a tornado swept through parts of the state overnight into March 26.
“Pine Mountain Safari sustained extensive tornado damage this morning. Fortunately, none of our animals and employees were hurt. However, several animal enclosures were breached, and two tigers briefly escaped,” the Wild Animal Safari in Pine Mountain posted on Facebook March 26. “Both have now been found, tranquilized, and safely returned to a secure enclosure.”
Wild Animal Safari in Pine Mountain first posted on its website that its facility was “impacted by the tornado last night.”
“We have sustained damage at the park and will not be open today,” the park said. “We will update with more news as we can.”
On March 26, the Troup County Sheriff’s Office posted a notice that a tiger was unaccounted for inside the Wild Animal Safari. Several hours later, it posted that the two tigers had been captured.
Wild Animal Safari offers drive-through tours of its wildlife enclosures and has a walk-through zoo experience as well, according to its website. The zoo, about 45 miles north of Columbus, homes tigers, lions, wolves, monkeys and other wildlife.
The storm caused heavy rain, winds up to 50 miles, “frequent cloud to ground lightning” and heavy rain, according to the National Weather Service. Pine Mountain and Troup County, along with Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Muscogee, Stewart, Talbot, Taylor and Webster counties are under a tornado watch until 1 p.m. ET, according to the weather notice.
Tornado watches mean a tornado could happen in the area due to weather conditions, according to the National Weather Service. They usually cover large areas and even different states. A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted or detected and there is “imminent danger to life and property,” according to the service.
If an area receives a tornado warning, citizens should follow these steps, according to the National Weather Service:
Stay Weather-Ready: “Continue to listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about tornado watches and warnings.”
At Your House: “If you are in a tornado warning, go to your basement, safe room, or an interior room away from windows. Don’t forget pets if time allows.”
At Your Workplace or School: “Follow your tornado drill and proceed to your tornado shelter location quickly and calmly. Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.”
Outside: “Seek shelter inside a sturdy building immediately if a tornado is approaching. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe. Neither is a mobile home or tent. If you have time, get to a safe building.”
In a vehicle: “Being in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe. The best course of action is to drive to the closest shelter. If you are unable to make it to a safe shelter, either get down in your car and cover your head, or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low lying area such as a ditch or ravine.”
You can help name these adorable otter pups at NC aquarium. Here’s how to cast a vote
18-year-old set to play college football falls from parking deck fourth floor, cops say
Calf escapes slaughterhouse and runs through NYC. ‘Hopefully he’ll die from old age’
Backpack leads rescuers to find body of dad who vanished on hike days earlier in NY
