GREAT BEND (Kansas) - OFFICIALS at a Kansas zoo are trying to figure out how a 68kg mountain lion escaped from its enclosure.
The 14-year-old female was shot and killed by police at the Great Bend Zoo on Sunday evening.
Zoo director Mike Cargill tells KAKE-TV the mountain lion escaped during feeding time shortly before closing and staff quickly moved the few zoo-goers in the area to safety.
Mr Cargill says visitors were never in danger but the situation was 'deteriorating quickly.' The big cat was frightened and had a history of being somewhat aggressive.
Tranquiliser darts would have taken a half-hour to arrive so police were called in.
Great Bend police shot and killed the mountain lion as it crouched in the bushes next to the bobcat exhibit. -- AP
