Tuesday morning, chaos and terror reigned supreme as a rare spotted leopard escaped from the Durham Zoo around 7:30 a.m. Missing leopard “Fluffy’s” whereabouts remained unknown as zoo officials and local police attempted to find her and restore calm.
“We have no idea what time Fluffy escaped or where she went,” said director of the Durham Zoo Gerry Durrell. “She may have left the area and she could be walking around Durham at this point. We are doing everything we can to find her and bring her back.”
At 8:30, officials had closed the zoo and were starting their search for the leopard. The deadly 146 pound animal was described by zoo biologist Kitty Smith as being black with white spots and having the ability to run 60 miles an hour. Although Smith insisted that the missing animal was a “wonderful, warm, gentle cat who has never hurt anyone,” she also issued a dire warning to any who saw the cat walking around.
“They take the ‘kill now, ask later’ approach to life,” said Smith. “We urge anyone who encounters Fluffy to get slowly to the ground and lay still. Be especially careful to avoid eye contact.”
Durham Police Chief William Blair assured residents that local police and emergency forces were taking every precaution necessary to protect the public. Blair expressed that the police were searching the zoo thoroughly, and would then move on to the surrounding area if they could not find the leopard within the zoo’s grounds.
“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,” Blair said. “If possible, Fluffy will be shot with a tranquilizer gun. But if necessary, we will shoot to kill.”
Blair noted that local police would have sufficient forces to help back them up in the search for Fluffy. Not only were New Hampshire State Police and state wildlife department officials on hand, but the National Guard was supplying the police with five helicopters equipped with infrared sensors to help find the dark, spotted animal.
Visitors and zoo officials alike made it clear that they were hoping that Fluffy would not have to be fatally shot. Part of an extremely endangered species of Romanian spotted leopard – one of only five left in the world – Fluffy is the last surviving female of her species.
Just a month away from her scheduled mating date with a male spotted leopard owned by the Chinese government, Fluffy’s disappearance could potentially signal the end of her species. If she is killed before capture, her death would have dire consequences for the survival of Romanian spotted leopards.
Originally from the city of Durhamvoska, Romania, 10-year-old Fluffy was gifted to sister city Durham, New Hampshire five years ago and has been living at the zoo ever since. Inspiring great love and in Durham’s residents, her disappearance prompted sorrow in addition to fear.
“We love that cat, and we don’t want to lose her,” said teary-eyed zoo director Gerry Durrell.
In addition, public anger seemed to be directed towards the zoo, rather than the escaped animal herself.
“Fluffy would never hurt anyone,” said a zoo visitor who wished to remain anonymous. “I’m never coming back here again. This place is out of control.”
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