Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Suspicious LA Zoo package turns out to be an opossum
A rescued baby opossum is weighed at the Pelican Harbor Seabird Station in Miami, Florida, May 20 2016.
(
RHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images
)
Fear turned to confusion turned to "awww..." at the Los Angeles Zoo on Saturday.
At around 9:30 a.m., security officers noticed a suspicious package left at the zoo’s front gate. They notified the Los Angeles Police Department. After assessing the package, police officers called in the bomb squad.
The public and zoo staffers were asked to move back a safe distance and relocate their cars to the far North parking lot.
The bomb squad identified the contents of the package to be a live, adult opossum.
The L.A. Zoo was opened to the public at 11:30 a.m. and offered free admission and free parking for the rest of the day.
In a Facebook post, zoo officials said: "The opossum, which appeared to be healthy, was relocated to the zoo’s health center, and will be released."
And now, a PSA: If you have an animal that needs a home, don't just dump it at the zoo —or anywhere else. Contact L.A. Animal Services, the county's Department of Animal Care and Control or your local animal shelter.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
