Fluffy's Great Escape

A dangerous spotted leopard is suspected to have escaped from the Durham Zoo on last night and has still not been found.

When employees opened the zoo this morning, they found the cage of Fluffy, the zoo's Romanian spotted leopard, vacant.

"When we opened the zoo at 7:30 this morning and began feeding the animals, we immediately noticed that Fluffy was missing," said Gerry Durrell, the director of the Durham Zoo.  "We have no idea what time Fluffy escaped or where she went."

Durrell said that the last time Fluffy was seen, she was in her cage when the zoo closed at 9 p.m. last night.  He also pointed out that when the leopard's empty cage was discovered, nothing appeared to have been tampered with or broken.

"We love that cat, and we don't want to lose her," Durrell said, tearing up.

Kitty Smith, the Durham Zoo's chief biologist warned that Fluffy is "extremely dangerous" and will attack if provoked.  She also warned of the spotted leopard's appetite for young children.

"Fluffy is a wonderful, warm, gentle cat who has never hurt anyone," Smith said. "But if these cats are cornered -- or encountered on a dark night -- their defense is to kill, and to kill quickly."

Smith cautioned that Fluffy will instinctively "kill now, ask later," and advises anyone who encounters the leopard to lay still on the ground.  She said that this tactic should prevent any attack from the leopard, who is most likely to attack if she senses fear.

The Durham Police have begun a systematic search of the zoo, and will extend the search outward throughout Durham until Fluffy is recovered.  Police Chief William Blair said that their hope is to bring Fluffy back alive.

"If possible, Fluffy will be shot with a tranquilizer gun."  Blair said, "But if necessary, we will shoot to kill."

The police have teamed up with the National Guard, the New Hampshire State Police, and the State Wildlife Department in their search.  The National Guard has contributed helicopters equipped with infrared sensors. Chief Blair said that if Fluffy is not found before nightfall, their search will become much more difficult.

"These cats are nearly impossible to0 find in the dark,"Blair said.  "They can see everything and we are blind."

Zoo-goers were upset with the leopard's escape.

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