Bison munches on bamboo after escaping enclosure at Salisbury Zoo

SALISBURY, Md. – The Salisbury Zoo closed early Thursday afternoon, after a bison got out of its enclosure.

Zoo officials say one of the bison broke part of the exhibit’s interior fencing while playing with it. The bison then ate some bamboo located outside of the interior fence line, according to zoo officials.

A second barrier fence line kept the bison contained, say zoo officials. Staff reportedly responded immediately, and followed the zoo’s animal escape protocols. After opening the exhibit gate, zoo officials say the bison calmly walked back into the exhibit, in response to a recall device. Nobody was hurt.

Zoo officials say they follow an extensive safety program, including protocols for a variety of emergency scenarios. Staff and volunteers regularly practice those protocols in real-time drills, according to zoo officials.