A search is underway using tracker dogs and drones to locate a group of raccoons that escaped from a zoo on the Isle of Wight. The four raccoons, 18-month-old sisters, broke out of their enclosure at Amazon World Zoo Park in Sandown. The zoo staff are asking the local community to assist in keeping an eye out for these new additions to the zoo.
Supervisor Rowena Welsh emphasized that the raccoons are not dangerous and advised the public to contact the zoo immediately if they spot the animals. Attempting to approach them may cause them to become frightened. One of the raccoons chose to remain in the enclosure and did not escape.
An Amazon World spokesperson took to Facebook to ask for help in locating the missing raccoons. They urged people not to try to approach the raccoons as they may be scared, but instead to contact the zoo right away with any sightings. Locals are encouraged to check sheds and bonfire piles as raccoons tend to sleep during the day and become active at dusk.
Amazon World Zoo Park is known for being the largest collection of exotic animals on the Isle of Wight, housing various species such as lemurs, squirrel monkeys, and capybaras. This incident comes shortly after two parrots went missing from London Zoo but were later found 60 miles away in a Cambridgeshire garden. The critically endangered blue-throated macaws, Lily and Margot, flew away during their daily routine at the London Zoo but were reunited after being spotted by a family in Buckden, Cambridgeshire.
As the search continues for the escaped raccoons on the Isle of Wight, the zoo staff are hopeful that with the help of the community and the use of tracker dogs and drones, the raccoons will be safely returned to their enclosure at Amazon World Zoo Park.
