A southern tamandua living at Taipei Zoo escaped with her baby Hong Dou on Sept. 1. The zoo later recovered the baby, but the mother remains missing.
Footage from a surveillance camera shows a small silhouette approaching the moat. At around 2 a.m. on Sept. 1, Xiao Hong, a southern tamandua living at Taipei Zoo, picked up her baby Hong Dou, swam across the electrified water barrier, and escaped.
She went from the display area's upper island to the lower island, and then followed the staircase into the moat while carrying her baby. It's possible that she found an opportunity and went over the metal fence.
Xiao Hong had just moved to her new home on Aug. 30, and the mother-daughter duo made their public debut on Aug. 31. Following their escape on Sept. 1, the zoo mounted an extensive search. The baby was located in the afternoon, but the mother remains at large.
In addition to personnel, we also set up eight traps and eight automatic cameras. Despite all this effort, we haven't been able to find any traces of southern tamanduas moving within the area we're monitoring. The weather is also becoming more and more unsuitable for tropical animals. There is also the possibility that she might encounter a native palm civet, which is a much more powerful animal, or a dog.
The zoo conducted a self-inspection and drew up a search and rescue plan. The search is still ongoing. They will deliver the self-inspection results after the operation ends, and only then will we handle the follow-up processing.
Taipei Zoo is under the supervision of the Taipei City Department of Education. The department said it will wait until the search is over before establishing a notification standard and process for escaped animals. The zoo is planning to hold a general review at the end of the month. It also said Xiao Hong is a timid creature and is not a threat to people, other animals, or the environment. People are advised to maintain their distance if they spot her as well as inform the zoo immediately so that she can be returned home safely.