Dallas Zoo draws ‘huge crowds’ over MLK weekend; police still investigating damaged exhibits

The Dallas Zoo saw “large crowds” over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend after closing on Friday to find a clouded leopard that went missing.

“Many” guests stopped by to see Nova and “wish her well” on Saturday, according to the Dallas Zoo.

Nova — the clouded leopard who escaped from the enclosure she shares with her sister after police said it appeared someone deliberately cut an opening — was found on zoo grounds about 4:40 p.m. Friday and was safely secured at approximately 5:15. She had been reported missing that morning.

“The veterinary team and Nova’s animal care team have all said she shows no signs of physical injury and has settled right back into her routine today,” Dallas Zoo officials said on a statement Saturday.

The Dallas Zoo said in a Facebook post Monday that it was “seeing huge crowds,” and advised guests to prepare for traffic delays.

The big crowds seen through Monday are attributed to the “beautiful weather” and the holiday weekend, the Dallas Zoo said in a statement. “Obviously, there was a lot of interest in the clouded leopards from the guests that did attend, but we don’t believe that actually drove attendance overall.”

According to the Dallas Zoo, ticket sales look “normal” for the week and weekend ahead.

Dallas police opened a criminal investigation after filing reports of criminal mischief. Investigators believe the wire mesh in the leopards’ enclosure was intentionally cut with a “cutting tool.”

Another investigation was opened after zoo personnel found a similar cut in the enclosure of the langurs, a breed of monkey.

None of the monkeys escaped and they did not appear to be harmed or in any danger, Dallas police said in a news release. It is not yet known whether the two incidents are related.

There is no current update on either of the investigations, police said Tuesday.

This story was originally published January 17, 2023 at 1:12 PM.