After scaling an electric fence into the panda cage at an Australian zoo to recover a phone, a high school kid was heroically saved by zookeepers.
When it was discovered that the youngster had leapt into the cage to retrieve the phone he lost while shooting, Adelaide Zoo was obliged to close down the panda exhibit early on Monday afternoon.
Since the panda enclosure was created in 2009 to contain Australasia’s sole breeding pair of giant pandas, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, it is the first such security breach to have occurred.
Elaine Benstead, CEO of Zoos SA, confirmed that only Wang Wang was in the cage at the time and that neither the youngster nor the panda suffered any injuries.
The whole time, no gigantic panda could be seen; in fact, I believe Wang Wang slept off during the excitement while my employees remained up.
Although he did detect some tingling in his fingers from touching the hot wire, the youngster was unharmed.
The child, according to a witness, was with a school group when dozens of zookeepers rushed into the cage to save him.
Lucas Robinson, a different witness, said the youngster should have informed officials before climbing the barrier.
He told the Adelaide Advertiser, “I think kids just do what kids do; thank God it wasn’t a Harambe 2.0 or anything.”
The zoo said that although they are happy with the result, they will evaluate the situation as a precaution.
While asserting that its reaction was prompt and appropriate for the occurrence, Zoos SA said it will evaluate all safety rules and procedures.
To maintain the greatest degree of safety for all visitors, employees, and volunteers, Zoos SA periodically conducts emergency scenario exercises.
Visitors may now enter the panda enclosure once again.
»High schooler climbs electric fence into panda cage to recover phone«