The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was evacuated May 2 and will remain closed the rest of the day after receiving threats of a bomb and active shooter.
It came as several other zoos around the country, including in Toledo, reported similar incidents over the past 24 hours.
Tracy Whited, a spokesperson for the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, said multiple law-enforcement agencies were called to the scene and began evacuating the zoo northwest of Columbus at about 2:20 p.m. They’re now investigating the incident as a swatting call, she said.
Swatting calls are false threats called to emergency services with the intent of drawing law enforcement to a scene.
Whited said safety agencies always have to treat such calls as legitimate.
A statement from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium said the call of a bomb threat and active shooter was received at 2:18 p.m. on May 2, and the zoo was evacuated in light of the similar threats elsewhere. Delaware County sheriff’s officials were on the scene within 10 minutes, the zoo said.
All guests, staff and animals were safe, according to the statement. Safari Golf Club also was evacuated and closed for the rest of the day on May 2.
“We appreciate the cooperation of all guests who were visiting at the time, as well as the coordinated response of our staff, which allowed for an orderly evacuation,” the statement read.
The zoo said it is working with law enforcement to assess the phoned-in threats and will issue updates on operating hours as it learns more.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Zoo closes for the day after bomb, active shooter threat
Reporting by Bob Vitale, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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