New Mexico zoo evacuated when bear cub escapes

ROSWELL, N.M.  — The zoo in Roswell, N.M., was evacuated for an hour until a bear cub could be coaxed back into its cage.

Spring River Zoo Director Elaine Mayfield said the cub got out of its cage when keepers filling up a moat accidentally left water running all day Thursday.

The higher water level allowed the bear to make its escape by swimming across the moat and then climbing up the front of the exhibit’s cage to get onto the roof.

While the cub was running around on the roof, zoo officials called New Mexico Game and Fish.

Game and Fish officers got the bear back into its cage and the zoo reopened.

Mayfield says the water level will be kept at its proper, lower level.