ST. LOUIS (AP) — An escape-artist endure from Missouri is headed to a Texas zoo with a moat in hopes that it’s going to put an finish to his wandering.
The St. Louis Zoo cited the “particular and distinctive persona” of the Andean endure named Ben in saying the transfer Tuesday. His soon-to-be house on the Gladys Porter Zoo close to South Padre Island in Brownsville, Texas, has an extended historical past of operating with Andean bears. But it surely’s nonetheless including some additional security features.
“We’re assured it’s going to be just right for Ben,” stated Walter Dupree, the Texas zoo’s curator of mammals.
Ben received notoriety in February via busting out of his habitat two times.
The primary time, the 4-year-old, 280-pound (127-kilogram) endure tore aside clips that connected stainless-steel mesh to the body of a door. However he was once recaptured ahead of the zoo opened for the day.
Zoo staff then added zip tie-like attachments product of stainless-steel that had 450 kilos (204 kilograms) of tensile energy. However Ben controlled to flee via the ones about two weeks later. The zoo was once open this time, however he was once captured not up to an hour afterward a public trail.
Ben now lives in a nonpublic house of the St. Louis Zoo, the place he can transfer indoors and out — or even splash in a pool — whilst he awaits his transfer.
“He’s so amusing, he’s so playful — we would really like with the intention to stay him right here,” stated Regina Mossotti, the St. Louis Zoo’s vice chairman of animal care.