Missing zoo animal on the run for weeks after escaping park is finally found
An exotic animal who escaped from its enclosure at a popular zoo last month has been found safe and well.
Malu, a Palawan binturong - a type of bearcat - was confirmed missing by Devon's Dartmoor Zoo in January. However, this isn't the first time that the furry mammal has managed to make a break for it - back in December it escaped for a 'short period' before being located within the zoo's site.
A resident in nearby Cornwood village reported a sighting of the crafty escape artist, out on his second adventure, to the 30-acre zoo on Tuesday evening. A zoo team subsequently gathered up equipment and drove to the location ready to collect the animal.
He was located in a small woodshed next to an allotment indicating he had managed to find shelter and a food source. Malu was quickly secured and taken back to the zoo. Initial keeper observations indicate that he hadn't suffered in any way from his time in the countryside, but he is being held in his house within his enclosure temporarily until a full health check can be carried out by the vets.
His house has been confirmed as secure and Malu has access to heat, food and water and said to be 'comfortable and secure'. Dartmoor Zoo animal manager Maddy said: "Malu has been eating well overnight and seems calm and in good health. The team will continue to monitor him to ensure he is doing well. At this time, the team are enjoying a very emotional reuniting with a much-missed Malu.”
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The zoo will be reviewing Malu’s enclosure over the next 12 to 24 hours to assess any changes that need to be made and Malu will be in a suitable, temporary enclosure until any works have been completed.
Malu at Dartmoor Zoo - he was found in small woodshed next to an allotment (Dartmoor Zoo)Dartmoor Zoo CEO David Gibson said: "We are all obviously delighted that Malu has been found safe and well and our priority now is for his ongoing welfare and care. We will be working hard over the next few days to ensure that he is in good health and that there is no possibility of him escaping his enclosure again.”
Malu has been described as a 'shy boy' who takes some time getting used to people. He arrived at Dartmoor Zoo on July 5 last year from Get to Know Animals - a fully interactive mini zoo and animal experience centre - at Epping in Essex. Since then, Malu has become a much-loved resident, reports DevonLive.
Binturongs are predominantly found in Asia but they are classified as vulnerable due to the illegal pet trade, deforestation, poaching for fur, and being captured to make civet coffee. In Laos, the species is also sometimes captured and eaten as it is considered a delicacy.
Dartmoor Zoo houses many animals, including tigers, lions, and meerkats (Google Maps)Malu is understood to have come from the island of Palawan in the Philippines, where he was rescued by an unknown source and brought to the UK. They are renowned for being great climbers and famously smell of popcorn.
When Malu was confirmed missing in January, the zoo assured he did not pose any risk to the public and believed that he was still somewhere in the zoo. A visitor said they had not seen Malu in the three times they had visited the zoo since Christmas.
A Cornwood resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "The escaped Dartmoor zoo binturong has been found. This was his second escape. I heard the animal team talking about it when they came to collect him. He was taken back to the zoo from a neighbour's wood store where he was found."
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