Tue Sep 10 13:21:54 UTC 2024: ## Wild Animals Escape Zoo After Devastating Floods in Nigeria
Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria – Flooding on a scale unseen in three decades has wreaked havoc in Maiduguri, forcing residents to flee their homes and leading to the escape of several wild animals from the Sanda Kyarimi Zoo.
Videos of animals roaming the streets of the capital have gone viral on social media, sparking fear amongst residents. While the exact number of escaped animals remains unknown, zoo officials have confirmed the sighting of an ostrich, which has since been recaptured.
Ali Donbest, the zoo director, confirmed that the floods submerged cages containing lions and hyenas, but their whereabouts remain unclear. He warned residents to be vigilant and cautioned that other animals spotted in the city may not be from the zoo. A hippo sighting has been reported, despite the zoo not possessing any hippos.
The floods have damaged the zoo’s walls, allowing animals to escape. While no reports of attacks have been made, residents are understandably terrified of encountering wild animals.
Ishaq Sani, a Maiduguri resident, was forced to abandon his home due to the floods and is now seeking shelter with a friend. “My biggest fear now is coming across a wild animal,” he shared with the BBC.
The flooding in Borno state is part of a larger crisis across Nigeria, with more than 170 deaths and tens of thousands displaced. The Nigerian National Emergency Management Agency is working to assist those affected by the ongoing crisis.
First Piper 