Security of Duluth zoo under scrutiny after flood

Zoo seal on Grand Avenue
This seal is one of two that escaped from the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth during the devastating floods last month. It was photographed on Grand Avenue. Zoo officials say the seals were returned safely, but about a dozen other animals died at the zoo.
Courtesy of Ellie Burchar

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) -- Security issues at the Lake Superior Zoo are under scrutiny after about a dozen animals died in last month's flood.

The Duluth News Tribune reports that an alarm sounded three hours before zoo officials knew they had a serious problem.

According to protocol, the security company told animal management director Peter Pruett of the alarm about midnight. Protocol then calls for the security company to contact police.

But police didn't get to the zoo.

It's unknown if those three hours could have saved the animals, but zoo staffers have been lobbying for 24-hour security for years and say it would've meant quicker intervention.

Zoological Society chief executive Sam Maida recently hired a company for 24-hour security. He says he planned to do that later this month but accelerated the process.

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