Alice the Elephant Briefly Roams Free at Albuquerque Zoo

Zoo officials say the situation forced a delayed opening on Sunday, but normal operations have since resumed.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 6:52pm

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On a Sunday morning, the 52-year-old Asian elephant named Alice briefly escaped her living quarters at the ABQ BioPark Zoo in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Zoo staff quickly responded and helped return Alice to her habitat, where she will remain for close monitoring as the damaged perimeter fence is repaired.

Why it matters

Elephant escapes from zoos, while rare, can pose serious risks to public safety and the animal's own wellbeing. This incident highlights the need for robust safety protocols and vigilant monitoring to ensure the welfare of both zoo animals and visitors.

The details

Around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, zoo staff spotted Alice on a public walkway outside her living quarters. Animal care staff arrived quickly and were able to return Alice to her habitat. No other elephants were involved, and Alice sustained no injuries, but the zoo was forced to delay its opening by 30 minutes as staff cleared debris from the area where Alice had snacked on plants and trees.

  • The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
  • The zoo was closed at the time of the encounter.

The players

Alice

A 52-year-old Asian elephant at the ABQ BioPark Zoo in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Brandon Gibson

The director of the ABQ BioPark Zoo.

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What they’re saying

“Alice has no injuries but will remain inside her habitat today for close monitoring by animal care staff.”

— Brandon Gibson, Zoo Director

What’s next

The zoo's elephant habitat will remain closed to the public while the damaged perimeter fence is repaired.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of robust safety protocols and vigilant monitoring at zoos to ensure the wellbeing of both animals and visitors. While rare, elephant escapes can pose significant risks and require a swift and effective response from zoo staff.