Milwaukee County Zoo reminds visitors to follow safety rules after recent incidents
CBS 58 MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — The Milwaukee County Zoo is reminding visitors to follow all safety rules after multiple recent incidents.
On Tuesday, a man tried to enter a staff-only service road behind the caribou exhibit, prompting a response from zoo security and the sheriff's office.
Just two weeks earlier, a child entered an animal habitat in the African Savanna area, prompting staff to activate emergency protocols before someone climbed in and helped the child out using a ladder.
No people or animals were hurt in either incident, but Andrew Stockel, the zoo's operations director for the past six years, said visitors need to follow the zoo's rules and protocols.
"We're happy to have our friends and all of our customers here at the zoo and guests. And we're happy to be an accessible place for everyone," Stockel said. "There are times when things go on that don't, unfortunately, meet our expectations. When you come here, our animals' well-being is our first concern, and the barriers are here and they're here for a reason — to keep the animals and guests on separate sides of them, and that's where everybody's safe."
Stockel added that he and the rest of the zoo staff want people to continue visiting and enjoying the zoo, but said the guidelines are in place for a reason.
"The animals are all of our responsibilities, from the guests to our zookeepers, myself, to the staff, to anybody that works with them in any way, shape or form. It's our responsibility, and the same with the guests," Stockel said.
