Fluffy a rare spotted leopard is currently missing from her cage at the Durham Zoo. She appears to have escaped from her cage sometime between 9 p.m. last night and 7:30 a.m. this morning. A thorough investigation is currently undergoing, but her location is unknown.
When the zoo opened this morning, it was apparent immediately that Fluffy was not in her cage, said Gerry Durrell, the director of the zoo.
“Fluffy was last seen in her cage when the zoo was closed at 9 p.m. last night,” said Durrell. “We have no idea what time Fluffy escaped or where she went.”
James Petronkis, a daily visitor to the zoo, said that he instantly knew something was wrong when he arrived at Fluffy’s cage, but that zoo officials would not listen to him. “I told the guard [that something was wrong] and he said ‘Mind your own business.’ I couldn’t believe it. So I pulled a fire alarm and that got their attention.”
“I waited and a half hour later I told them again,” said Petronkis. “This time they checked the house, and then all hell broke loose.”
Kitty Smith, the zoo’s chief biologist, said that Fluffy’s cage is alarmed, but that no alarms sounded during the night.
Smith issued a warning about Fluffy, who she said is “extremely dangerous” and whose species is known to have an appetite for young children. “Fluffy is a wonderful, warm, gentle cat who has never hurt anyone. But if these cats are corned – or encountered on a dark night – their defense is to kill, and to kill quickly.”
A visitor to the zoo seemed to doubt Fluffy as a threat but was unhappy with the zoo. “Fluffy would never hurt anyone,” he said as he left. “I want my money back, and then I’m never coming back here again. This place is out of control.”
Durham Police, New Hampshire State Police, the state wildlife department, and the National Guard are all participating in the search for Fluffy.
“If possible, Fluffy will be shot with a tranquilizer gun,” said Police Chief William Blair. “But if necessary, we will shoot to kill.”
“We are concerned because this is a residential neighborhood with an elementary school and we don’t want Fluffy wandering around after the kids get out of school,” said Blair. “We have got to find her before 3 p.m.”
Not only does Fluffy need to be located quickly because she is a possible threat to the public, but also because she is a priceless animal, according to Smith. Fluffy is one of only five Romanian spotted leopards in existence, and the only female, she said.
These Romanian spotted leopards are on the brink of extinction, said Smith. Next month Fluffy was scheduled to be flown to China to mate with a male spotted leopard.
All officials urged how serious they are about returning Fluffy to her home at the zoo. “We miss Fluffy and we want her back, safe and sound,” said Smith.
“We’re gonna find this cat if it kills us,” said Blair, as he concluded the press conference.
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