Having a realistic drill is the only way to do it. A Japanese zoo held an escaped animal training drill that included a costumed performer acting as a fugitive white tiger.
The Tobu Zoo in Miyashiro Town, Saitama Prefecture, held its annual training drill on March 14, 2024, which included a zookeeper putting on his best tiger expression and pretending to be the escaped animal.
A video emerged from the scene that showed the zookeeper wearing a sweatshirt with a tiger’s face on the hood, prowling on all fours while other zoo employees put the facility’s escaped animal plan into action.
The zoo’s team put up net barriers and used simulated tranquilizers to subdue their actor colleague before securing him with rope and returning him to a safe area. Zoo chief Masaru Kaminaga said the annual drills are an important exercise that helps with training for if the real thing ever happens.
“In the event of an emergency, it is important for each person to understand their role and respond accordingly,” Kaminaga said.