By James Carlson
Then-director Mike Coker said he was considering adding surveillance and changing locks and security systems.On Thursday, Bevens said the gate broken in August was welded shut. He couldn't recall any other measures taken at the time.Funding such a position, however, may be difficult as the city is considering whether to eliminate at least 60 jobs in an effort to close a $4 million shortfall.Asked about any connection between the August break-in and Thursday's, Bevens said: "There are some similarities between the two crimes, so that's something to be considered. We're treating it as a burglary and processing the crime scene."James Carlson can be reached at (785) 295-1186 or james.carlson@cjonline.com and tweets at twitter.com/carlson_james.About 40 minutes later, one of 30 searchers from the police, animal control and zoo spotted the bobcat about 30 yards from his pen in an exhibit area near the Tropical Rain Forest."We need to do something soon because it's being targeted by one if not more individuals," he said.Officials say someone cut a hole in the chain-link fence around the zoo grounds, made their way to the bobcat exhibit and broke two lock hasps to release the cat."You can always do more," city spokesman David Bevens said of precautions at the zoo. "To what degree we do more, we will discuss that."Thursday marks the second time city officials are examining zoo security since August.The Capital-Journal's Thad Allton, Phil Anderson and Steve Fry contributed to this report.Bevens described the bobcat as "domesticated, docile and declawed" and said the children were herded out of the zoo after finding the cat again.A vandal or vandals broke into the Topeka Zoo over the weekend for the second time in as many weeks, this time stealing a golf cart.The arctic fox never left its cage.Bevens said the city is discussing security options but didn't want to divulge details so as not to tip off vandals.The zoo was closed in the early stages of the search Thursday morning, and a group of preschool students from the Head Start program and the adults with them initially were told they wouldn't be able to tour the zoo because of the loose cat.Lying on the grass with a dart gun's long barrel balanced between the planks of a wooden fence, Kamer shot once toward the bobcat about 15 feet away and landed a glancing blow.Kamer said the elephants had thrown around the wagon that was tossed into their holding area.Not all parts were recovered, he said, and he worried what digesting some of the pieces could do.The 26-pound bobcat named Johnson was discovered missing around 6:30 a.m. and was captured about four hours later. He was uninjured.City officials are again pledging to review security at the Topeka Zoo after the facility was broken into early Thursday and a bobcat was released for the second time in nine months.New technology is available but is costly, he said, and ultimately the extent of security at the zoo will be determined by dollars and cents and how much money the city has to spend on it.Topeka police officers were called at 8:30 a.m. Monday to the southeastern quadrant of the facility where a hole was cut in the exterior chain-link fence big enough for someone to exit on the golf cart at a high speed, leaving tire tracks.The break-in marks the second in two weeks and the third since August. On May 6, someone or a group of people cut through the chain- link perimeter fence by the Gage Shelter House and let a bobcat out of its cage. It was found inside the zoo grounds within a couple hours. A hole also was cut in the arctic fox enclosure and a toy wagon was thrown in the elephant exhibit during that incident.By 9:40 a.m., the zoo was open and the children walked through the grounds.The second shot pierced a rear leg, and the cat went down.This Chicago fence company specializes on professional fencing installation specifically in PVC (Vinyl), Chain Link, Wood, And Metal or Ornamental Aluminum fences. For clients that require less or no maintenance fence, PVC or vinyl is a popular choice. It is also known for being durable and having a long warranty period. Chain link fences, however, are an economical option for clients who are particular to colors. Chicago Fence values the need of clients to match the fence with the shade of the house or building.Topeka police Capt. Darin Scott said officers make "a lot of patrols" in Gage Park, including at night, and routinely check the perimeter of the zoo while making their rounds.Meanwhile, Joe Kamer, the zoo's acting veterinarian, arrived near the Pallas cat exhibit where Johnson the bobcat was lounging.Century Fence Company guarantees reasonable prices and ensures great quality in every product. The company also provides free estimates on all your fencing needs and would love to be part of the success of your business and the satisfaction of a home owner.
James Carlson can be reached at (785) 295-1186 or james.carlson@cjonline.com and tweets at twitter.com/carlson_james.
Author: James Carlson
No comments:
Post a Comment