Jaguar in US zoo escapes cage and mauls 6 animals

New Orleans, July 15: The law of the jungle prevailed in the city. A jaguar at New Orleans's Audubon Zoo managed to uncage itself and went on the rampage on Saturday (July 14) morning, killing at least six animals, including four alpacas, an emu and a fox that were trapped in their own habitats.

The zoo officials sedated and captured the animal following its killing spree and the zoological garden was kept closed for a day.

The jaguar reportedly went missing at 7.20 am which was before the zoo's opening, the authorities said in a press release. It was spotted around 45 minutes later and tranquilised and returned to its enclosure.

The authorities were relieved that no human being fell prey to the animal and their worry was increased by the fact that a children's play area is located to the jaguar's arena, reports said.

The predator, a three-year-old male named Valerio, also injured three other animals and they were being taken care of, the reports added.

The jaguar, according to the zoo authorities, did not intent to eat the animals it attacked but was on a "territorial display". They also assured that the safety was in place but such an incident raised questions on caging predators that are known to be ruthless hunters and can take full use of the situation of the barriers break down.