Juvenile Elephant Escapes Theme Park in Zhejiang, Returns Safely

In Huzhou, located in East China's Zhejiang Province, a young elephant managed to escape from a theme park amid the intense summer heat. It wandered onto nearby streets for a short time, but park employees quickly intervened, using the animal's preferred snacks like watermelons and bananas to coax it back safely, without any reported injuries or property damage.

An online video shared by a netizen showed the elephant running along a roadside, prompting a surge of discussions among internet users. Some made light of the situation, humorously suggesting that even elephants are reluctant to endure extreme temperatures, while others speculated that the elephant might have been heading towards Taihu Lake. Additionally, some expressed concern for public safety during the brief escape.

A staff member from the park confirmed that the escape was a minor incident, stating they managed to guide the elephant back within half an hour of its disappearance. The employee noted that the escape was prompted by the unusually high temperatures, which affect the elephant's temperament, causing it to become agitated. After returning, the juvenile elephant underwent a health check and was found to be in good health, with staff attributing their success in retrieving it to their understanding of the elephant's eating habits and preferences. Authorities have reiterated that there were no safety issues or damage caused by the escape, ensuring the public that everything is under control.