Taipei Zoo Holds Animal Escape Response Drill 北市動物園公布防逃演練過程 強調應變力

A baboon was recently killed by a hunter after being on the loose for over two weeks. It has sparked an outcry and allegations of animal cruelty. On March 29, Taipei Zoo shared information about what it does to prevent animal escapes. It uses drills to strengthen the ability of personnel to respond to emergencies.

Zoo personnel arrange a tarp as they prepare to capture a colleague playing the role of an animal. They move quickly and precisely. A baboon recently escaped and went on the run in Taoyuan before being killed. On March 29, Taipei Zoo shared information about the drills it conducts to prevent animal escapes.

Zoo personnel informed visitors that a drill was about to commence, and they needed to clear the area and not panic. Others created a cordon to prevent the fleeing animal from going to another area. There was also personnel stationed at a high vantage point to track the animal.

The personnel called the animal's name and tried to guide it towards a place where it would be visible. Once it was inside the cordon, tools such as tranquilizer darts were used to subdue and capture it. The drill also included providing medical treatment to injured visitors.

Taipei Zoo said it uses drills to strengthen the ability of personnel to respond to and handle emergencies.

Eric Tsao, Spokesperson, Taipei Zoo: “This also tests the dart blowing abilities of our vets, to see if they can hit their targets. If they aren't able to, they may end up infuriating the animals and creating another type of situation. They can see if they can hit their targets on a safe spot on their bodies from a certain range, such as near their bottom.”

Taipei Zoo said there were past incidents where visitors intruded into animal enclosures for unknown reasons, and it will ask armed police officers to be on standby if needed. The zoo also conducts animal inventories and tracks movements to ensure all animals are where they're supposed to be.

工作人員圍起大片帆布，準備圍捕由同仁扮演的動物，動作迅速不馬虎。因為桃園發生狒狒脫逃死亡的案件，引發廣大關注，台北市立動物園29日公布動物防逃演練的過程。

工作人員用大聲公告知遊客將進行演練，需要清空，希望遊客不要驚慌。其他同仁也用大帆布拉起封鎖線，防止逃竄進其他館區；還安排同仁在制高點進行觀察，監控動物行蹤。

人員呼喚動物，試圖將牠引導到可以看到的範圍中，再將牠限制在封鎖線內，以吹箭等工具進行圍捕。經過大家齊心協力，終於將動物誘捕回籠，並且把模擬受傷的遊客送醫。

面對各界關心如何預防動物脫逃，台北市立動物園強調，透過演練可以強化應變及處理緊急事件的能力。

台北市立動物園發言人曹先紹指出：「也是挑戰我們的獸醫師，吹箭吹的準不準、對不對。如果沒有吹準可能激怒動物，狀況又進入另外一個情境。能不能夠在有把握的距離內，把吹箭吹到動物身上安全的位置，譬如說像屁股附近。」

北市動物園表示，以過往曾經發生遊客不明原因侵入獸欄的例子，強調必要時也會協請警方備槍待命。而平日清點動物數量、掌握動物行蹤，再加上演練，以防突發的動物脫逃事件發生。