A security breach at the National Zoological Park in Delhi created concern on Saturday morning after a few jackals managed to escape from their enclosure. The incident prompted the zoo administration to launch an immediate search operation across the dense forested area surrounding the animal exhibits.
According to officials familiar with the situation, the jackals slipped out through the rear side of the enclosure, which opens into a thick forest patch forming part of the zoo’s boundary. The escape route is suspected to be a gap in the fencing, though the exact cause of the breach is still under investigation.
Despite the security lapse, officials clarified that there was no threat to visitors. Most people in the zoo remained unaware of the situation as the search teams operated quietly in the restricted zones. The escaped jackals are believed to be still within the zoo premises and have not moved towards any public pathways.
Zoo authorities deployed multiple teams equipped with nets and tracking tools to comb the forested stretch behind the enclosure. The area is known for thick vegetation, making the search effort more challenging. Officials added that the jackal enclosure itself is surrounded by high wire mesh and includes burrows, sheltered resting spaces, and shaded areas. A detailed inspection is underway to determine how the animals managed to find a weak spot.
Another official said initial assessments indicated the jackals did not head toward visitor areas, reducing the risk of any direct encounter. Meanwhile, calls and messages to the Administration Department of the Delhi Zoo went unanswered, raising further questions about preparedness and response mechanisms.
This escape incident has once again put the zoo’s maintenance standards and animal security protocols under scrutiny.
