Toronto Zoo investigating after orangutan escapes
The Toronto Zoo says an orangutan escaped its enclosure Thursday evening as officials work to determine how exactly the ape got out.
Kembali, one of seven Sumatran orangutans in the zoo’s care, accessed an area “just outside” the new outdoor habitat at the Scarborough attraction, officials said in a post on social media.
The zoo said staff responded quickly and cleared guests from the area and the male orangutan was returned to its habitat “without incident.”
Police were also called to the scene as a precaution, the zoo said.
Speaking to CP24 Friday morning, Grant Furniss, the director of wildlife care at the Toronto Zoo, said they’re not “100 per cent” sure how Kembali escaped.
“[We’re] relying now on guests' video footage or pictures, and we'll hopefully be able to put the puzzle together and figure it out,” he said, noting that orangutans are “super smart” animals.
He said the zoo regularly runs drills to simulate similar situations and that Thursday’s incident ended with the “best outcome” possible.
The 13,000 square-foot outdoor habitat, which was opened last summer and cost $11 million to construct, will remain closed indefinitely until zoo officials determine how Kembali was able to make its way outside.
As the investigation takes place, Furniss said the orangutans will still be viewable to visitors from their indoor enclosure.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
TOP STORY What you need to know about COVID-19 as we head into fall
As we head into another respiratory illness season, here’s a look at where Ontario stands when it comes to COVID-19 and what you need to know.
Tuesday's Lotto Max draw set to hit all-time Canadian record of $80 million after no Friday winner
In a Canadian lotto first, the national Lotto Max jackpot has reached an estimated $80 million prize.
More new cars no longer come with a spare tire. Here's what you need to know
Vehicles used to come with a "full-sized" spare tire, but about 30 years ago, auto manufacturers moved to a much lighter, smaller tire, sometimes called a "donut spare." But now, depending on the car you have, it may not have any spare at all.
Son charged with 1st-degree murder after father's death on B.C.'s Sunshine Coast
A 26-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of his father on the Sunshine Coast last year.
From an apartment in Vancouver to a storage container near Saskatoon, how 2 teenagers’ airplane finally gets unveiled to family decades later in Ontario
Decades after soaring through Vancouver's skies, spending years in a storage container in Saskatoon, and finally being restored in Ontario, a plane built by hand by two teenagers at the height of the Great Depression will be unveiled to their family for the first time.
Fugitive wanted in connection with Rocky View County murder arrested
Mounties have captured a fugitive wanted for murder and on the run since early August, and it happened while they were working another case.
k.d. lang gets the band back together for Canadian country music awards show
The return of k.d. lang and the Reclines is expected to be a highlight as the Canadian Country Music Association hands out its annual hardware tonight in Edmonton.
What's behind the boom? The Manitoba community that nearly doubled in a decade
For decades, the Town of Ste. Anne was stagnant, but that all changed about 10 years ago. Now it is seeing one of the highest spikes of growth in the province.
China is raising its retirement age, now among the youngest in the world's major economies
Starting next year, China will raise its retirement age for workers, which is now among the youngest in the world's major economies, in an effort to address its shrinking population and aging work force.