TLDR
On March 27th, 2023, emergency crews were called to the Zoo after receiving a report of a bomb threat. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office says a sweep of the zoo found no threat and a juvenile subject responsible for the bomb threat will be referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice.
ASHEBORO N.C. (ACME NEWS) — This morning, the North Carolina Zoo was evacuated and closed due to a bomb threat.
Monday morning at approximately 10:45 a.m., emergency crews were called to the North Carolina Zoo after receiving a report of a bomb threat.
All guests were evacuated, including several field trip groups visiting the zoo today. Guests who spoke to reporters say they were asked to leave due to a “security incident”.
According to information released by the Randolph County Sheriff’s office, the threat was received through “electronic means” by a zoo employee.
The Sheriff’s office says it is working with staff at the N.C. Zoo to secure a perimeter around the park as they await the Guilford County Sheriff’s office bomb squad who is assisting in the investigation.
UPDATE – MARCH 27, 2023 – 2:15 P.M.
The North Carolina Zoo issued a statement regarding today’s evacuation and closure on its website a short time ago.
Evacuation update
Attention! All school groups and Zoo employees have been successfully evacuated from the Zoo campus following a security threat this morning (Monday, March 27). Guest safety is our top priority!
Concerned parents or guardians should reach out directly to their student’s school for confirmation regarding individual student updates or schedule changes for the remainder of the school day.
Please direct all inquiries about refunds or return tickets for guests here 3/27/23 to email guestservices@nczoo.org.
Any school groups that were scheduled that are looking to reschedule can email reservations@nczoo.org or speak with them at 336-879-7700 starting tomorrow.
We love our animals! Staff members at the North Carolina Zoo are working diligently to ensure the safety of animals following the successful evacuation of 1,372 guests on Monday, March 27. The evacuation was the result of a security threat received shortly before 11 AM. Caretakers have confirmed that all animals received their morning meals prior to start of business; we are prioritizing ongoing animal care based on medical needs.
NC Zoo Website
UPDATE MARCH 27, 2023 – 2:45 P.M.
An update from the Sheriff’s Office stated that five search teams were deployed and preformed a search of all public areas of the park. A secondary search was also completed and at 11:48 a.m. law enforcment stated ‘no items of suspicion were located’.
The Greensboro Police Department Bomb Squad was placed on standby, in case they were needed, but did not respond to the scene.
The Criminal Investigations Division of the Sheriff’s Office identified the origins of the threat and identified the juvenile suspect that sent it. A juvenile petition will be filed with the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Sheriff’s deputies cleared the scene at 1:39 p.m. The Zoo says they will resume normal hours tomorrow, March 28th, 2023.
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