‘Here, Kitty Kitty’: Dallas Zoo Calls Escaped ‘Non-Dangerous’ Leopard ‘A Serious Situation.’ Twitter Users, Not So Much.

The Dallas Friday Zoo closure due to a “serious situation” — though Twitter users didn’t think it was that serious.

Friday morning saw the closure of the zoo due to Nova, a clouded Leopard who escaped from its natural habitat. Dallas Police assisted with the search and discovered evidence that Nova may have been intentionally released. Twitter users joked about the rescue of the rare leopard and were less serious.

“The Zoo is closed today due to a serious situation,” The zoo posted a tweet Friday morning. “We have an ongoing situation at the Zoo right now with a Code Blue – that is a non-dangerous animal that is out of its habitat. One of our clouded leopards was not in its habitat when the team arrived this morning and is unaccounted for at this time.”

We have an ongoing situation at the Zoo right now with a Code Blue – that is a non-dangerous animal that is out of its habitat. The team discovered that one of our clouded leopards wasn’t in its habitat this morning. It is currently unaccounted for.

— Dallas Zoo (@DallasZoo) January 13, 2023

“Dallas PD is onsite assisting with the search efforts,” The zoo has been added. “The Zoo is closed today as our teams work to find and recover the animal. Given the nature of these animals, we believe the animal is still on grounds and hiding. We will share updates and more information as soon as we can. Our focus right now is on locating the animal.”

We are currently focusing on locating the animal.

— Dallas Zoo (@DallasZoo) January 13, 2023

Twitter users didn’t find the situation that serious, and the comments section was filled with suggestions for luring out the cat.

“Just push the lever on an electric can opener,” One Twitter user suggested it. “It will come running.”

“I’m sure you are the experts, but have you tried saying ‘Here kitty kitty kitty’ then clicking your tongue a few times?” One user inquired. “It works about half time with my cat.”

“Has anyone tried pspspsps,” You may ask another.

One user suggested a few ideas. “Have you tried: Cat nip[,] Opening a can of wet food[,] Or shaking kitty’s favorite treats?” According to the user. “Also try putting out an empty Amazon box, smaller the better or use a laser pointer! Use any of these, you’ll find kitty!”

Clouded leopards can be found in South Asia. Their territory extends from South China to the Himalayas and into Southeast Asia. Clouded leopards can grow up to 27 to 43 inches from their head to their back legs. Their tail is between two to three feet in length. They are between 25 and 50 lbs. Name “clouded leopard” comes from the cats’ fur, brown with large spots along its flanks that look like clouds. Cats are exceptional climbers. They can descend vertical trees from their heads, cross horizontal branches upside down, and hang from branches with their tails and backpaws.

Clouded leopards are both nocturnal and solitary. They consume small forest mammals such as primates, rodents and pangolins. According to the international Red List of Endangered Species, the species is now considered vulnerable. Their habitat has been significantly reduced and their remaining habitat is not sufficient to support a long-term population. Poachers also hunt the cats for their fur, bones and meat.

The zoo and police were still looking for the animal as of the publication date of this article. Dallas Police announced Friday afternoon that they had opened a new zoo. Criminal investigation; Dallas Police Sgt. Warren Mitchell stated that the mesh habitat appeared to have been deliberately cut.