Flooding Devastates Chinese Zoo, Over 100 Animals Lost

Southern China's Guangxi region is grappling with severe flooding that has devastated the Guigang Zoo, leading to the loss of more than 100 animals. The deluge damaged enclosures, allowing numerous animals to escape or perish. The zoo has issued an urgent appeal for public assistance in locating the escaped creatures.

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To ensure public safety and that of those animals, we implore the public to provide tips to assist in finding them.

According to an official notice, the lost animals include two zebras, 30 peacocks, two ostriches, nine deer, and multiple parrots. The zoo staff took measures to ensure public safety by securing all carnivores, preventing them from escaping into the surrounding areas. Despite these efforts, three lions drowned in the floodwaters. The extent of the loss also includes over 20 types of herbivores.

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Please keep a safe distance, as some animals including ostriches and raccoons can attack in fear.

Zookeeper Wang Liyuan shared the harrowing experience with Chinese media, detailing how staff acted quickly to lock up the carnivores when the flooding hit on Monday. She reported the loss of the three lions and emphasized the significant financial impact, estimating the zoo's damages at approximately 4 million yuan (US$588,000). Images circulating online depict collapsed cages and uprooted trees, all coated in mud, illustrating the severity of the disaster. The zoo implored the public to maintain a safe distance from any sighted animals, noting that some, like ostriches and raccoons, can be aggressive when frightened.

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staff locked all carnivores to prevent them from escaping and harming the public, and so far three lions had drowned.