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'Small number' of wolves remain at large after escaping Vancouver zoo enclosure

"Malicious intent" has been blamed for the release.
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A stock image of a wolf. Wolves escaped from a Greater Vancouver Zoo enclosure on Aug. 16, 2022.

Would-be visitors to the Greater Vancouver Zoo in Aldergrove arrived at the park gates Tuesday (Aug 16) to find the facility closed due to a public safety concern.

Several wolves were out of their enclosure. Most have since been recaptured.

The zoo is now working with the Langley RCMP and conservation officers to contain the wolves and investigate their escape.

"This is an ongoing investigation and is suspicious and believed to be due to malicious intent," states the zoo on its website, adding that it appears there was unlawful entry into the zoo and vandalism.

"The Greater Vancouver Zoo requested [Conservation Officer Service] support to recapture wolves that had escaped their enclosure earlier today," according to a spokesperson for B.C.'s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in an email statement to Vancouver Is Awesome.

The zoo goes on to say a small number of wolves are unaccounted for but don't say how many or where they may be.

Zoo officials say there is no danger to the public.

Anyone who sees a wolf in the area is asked to keep their distance and report the animal immediately to the Report all Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-7277.