Wolf found dead, another still missing after Greater Vancouver Zoo escape

The Greater Vancouver Zoo says one of the wolves that escaped their enclosure this week has been found dead on a roadside, and a second wolf is still missing.

The zoo been shut for three days while workers and conservation officers searched for the wolves, which Langley RCMP think got loose when someone deliberately damaged the animals’ enclosure.

The animal still at large is a wolf named Tempest, a one-year-old female, who is described as small with grey/brown puppy fur.

Menita Prasad, deputy general manager, says both the wolf enclosure and the zoo’s perimeter fence had been deliberately cut.

Menita Prasad wipes away tears as she gives an update at the Greater Vancouver Zoo in Aldergrove, B.C. on Thursday August 18th, 2022. (CityNews Image)

“We were really hopeful for a positive outcome for all the members of our wolf pack. But tragically, we were heartbroken to discover Chia deceased on the side of the road,” said Prasad.

The zoo says they are still hopeful they’ll find Tempest safe and sound.

“Our search and rescue operation continues. And we are asking for the public’s help to reunite Tempest with her family. We believe she’s still within the vicinity of the Greater Vancouver Zoo,” said Prasad.

Emily Pickett, campaign director at the Vancouver Humane Society says this incident was part of a pattern of problems at the zoo.

“This is just another incident of animal suffering alongside several other recent incidents in recent years that are very concerning to us,” said Pickett.

“These situations just reiterate the lack of adequate safety and protection of the animals at the Greater Vancouver Zoo. And the Humane Society has been calling on the zoo to address these issues.”

Pickett says some of the long-standing issues with the zoo include small enclosures, lack of space, unnatural social groupings, and a lack of animal enrichment.

Related articles:

• Greater Vancouver Zoo still closed following wolf escape

• Wolves escape enclosure at Greater Vancouver Zoo, at least 1 still at large

On Tuesday, the zoo said in a statement on its website that a “small number” of wolves were still unaccounted for, adding the escape was considered “suspicious and believed to be due to malicious intent.”

On Wednesday, Langley RCMP told CityNews they are investigating a break and enter and mischief at the site. The zoo has said there was no danger to the public, and it was working with the B.C. Conservation Officer Service to “contain” the animals.

The wolves’ escape captured the attention of people across Metro Vancouver, with many wondering if one of them may have left the Greater Vancouver Zoo’s grounds.

On Wednesday, CityNews tried contacting B.C.’s Environment Ministry, which oversees the BC Conservation Officer Service for information about the search. We were advised there was no comment from the service, and were directed to contact the zoo.

The zoo has nine adult grey wolves and six cubs. It first announced it was closed Tuesday morning via its Instagram and Facebook accounts, and remained closed on Wednesday and Thursday.

If you see a wolf, you’re asked to keep your distance and report the animal immediately to the Report all Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-7277.

With files from Sonia Aslam, Dean Recksiedler, Charlie Carey, Angela Bower, and The Canadian Press