The scene is worthy of the movie "Madagascar". A sea lion took advantage of the floods in New York to escape from its enclosure at the Central Park Zoo, reports BFMTV.
"A female sea lion at the Central Park Zoo was able to swim out of her pool due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall that hit New York City," the zoo said in a statement.
" READ ALSO New York: the impressive images of torrential rains
Named Sally, the sea lion was able to explore the area around the enclosure under the eyes of zoo staff, before returning to the pool. The water level has since dropped and the animals are "confined to their enclosure," says the establishment, adding that the sea lion "had remained inside the zoo, without ever crossing the secondary perimeter". "No staff members or visitors were in danger," it added.
Torrential rains
Videos circulated Friday on social media claiming that the sea lions had escaped from the zoo. "These videos are misleading and inaccurate," denied Friday on X (ex-Twitter) the NYPD, adding that "all sea lions and animals have been identified and are safe at the Central Park Zoo."
🚨 ZOO UPDATE:
There are several videos circulating online about flooding & escaped zoo animals. These videos are misleading & inaccurate.
All sea lions & animals are accounted for & safe at the @centralparkzoo. The zoo remains closed due to the heavy rain & flooding. pic.twitter.com/g9RCADJDG8
— NYPD Central Park (@NYPDCentralPark) September 29, 2023
The zoo, however, remains closed "so staff can focus on animals and facilities during the storm." New York City has been affected since Friday by torrential rains that paralyzed the megalopolis, with 20 cm of rain falling in a few hours. A state of emergency has been declared in the most populous city in the United States.
VIDEO. New York: the impressive images of the flooded city
"If you're at home, stay home, if you're at work, or at school, stay safe for now. Part of the subway is flooded and it is extremely difficult to move around the city, "warned Friday the Democratic mayor of the city, Eric Adams.
