Don't panic, but there's an animal loose in the Zoo Grounds.

If you heard that announcement coming over the zoo's p.a. system, what species would you hope the most that it wasn't...?

I'll start- Jaguar!

 

A Hippo would be a BIG problem!

Also how long till a animal in a zoo is given a "recreational" drug by a stupid visitor. Then escapes!!!

 

Cape Buffelo, Jaguar or a polar bear. All species that can cause some interesting problems

 

Being a volunteer at the Los Angeles zoo, if I do hear that there is an animal loose at the zoo its my duty to help the visitors get out the zoo or find safety, only then is when I could start worrying about myself. That being said, this year it did happen when a male orangutan escaped from his exhibit, but fortunately he was captured mins later, so I didn't have to worry that much.

Anyways...I would never want to hear that a big cat (specially the male tiger at the zoo, he's always grumpy) or a chimp has escaped from it's exhibit. Chimps are scary when they go crazy, so I wouldn't want to be infront of a raging chimp when they are out of their exhibit.

 

Last year at the Blijdorp Zoo in Rotterdam (Netherlands) it was a Gorilla called 'Bokito' who escaped from his island. Much people were in panic and some had to go to the hospital... so it was quit serious! I think these animals can be very agressive and they also look very powerful! Now they call a good and safe exhibit 'Bokito-proof' .

 

Leopard and especially a White-tailed gnu, I have heart really wild stories about their aggresivity.

 

I'm sure other ZooBeaters have actually been in a zoo when an animal has escaped - in my case it was Highland cow at Chester many years ago - so it was hardly a big problem. A handful of keepers surrounded it and led it away quite calmly.
I think I'd be most scared of a chimp, but I don't like the idea of many of the others you have suggested. To add something original, a bull sable antelope combines considerable speed with very big horns and perhaps a very bad temper - which would seem risky to me.

Alan

 

I'd probably be more worried about a gorilla or a chimp. Very smart, very strong, very fast and would be disorientated - not a good mix...

 

a big cat lke a Tiger or Lion or a rhino would be very high on the list

 

Any great ape, just because of the IQ factor coupled with their strenght

 

It's funny how many people have said Chimp, but that'd be one of my main concerns, especially a big male. I think it's because I think of them to be one of the most irrational animals, seemingly employing violence for violence sake.

Also, I'm surprised no-one has said elephant!

 

Yes but it would have to be a male in musk, where as a chimp can be dangerous anytime

 

Yeah, most elephant cows in zoos are really tame, but the bulls would also be on my list.

 

Baboons, Mandrills -- those teeth are scary!

 

jaguar and rhino for me

 

So lets do a little tally

Jaguar - 3
Hippo - 1
Cape Buffalo - 1
Polar Bear - 1
Tiger - 2
Chimp - 5
Gorilla - 3
Leopard - 1
Gnu - 1
Sable Antelope (Bull) - 1
Lion - 1
Rhino - 2
Elephant (incl Bull) - 2
Baboon/Mandrill - 1

Looks like Chimps are the more frightening at the moment...

 

Gibbon, Peccary, Cassowary, and small children

 

Ha Ha, especially dangerous species those..!

 

Elephant, hippo, chimps were came up to my mind. For me it's basically choosing among brutal force, killer instinct and mad mayhem. Elephant bull would be probably the strongest animal to face up but there would be a hope that I could avoid a confrontation. Hippo is kinda same thing but could be more aggressive. All big cats and pumas could be dangerous. But I would fear a troop of chimps the most. There is a good probability not only one would escape and once they would go wild it would be nasty. And they could eat you alive (starting with hands, face,...) - you can hope for quick kill in case of big cats or lost consciousness because of a blunt hit in case of elephant attack. I forgot bears which could be deadly too and some animals with poisoned attack (mostly reptiles) but as soon as you would know some escaped you would have a good chance to avoid them.

For me chimps are the worst case - thinking about it I'm glad my home zoo prefered gorillas and orangutans (not that any top dangerous animal escaped, ever).