Phoenix Zoo evacuated after bomb threat that police suspect was a swatting call
The Phoenix Zoo was evacuated Friday after a bomb threat that police said may have been a "swatting" call.
PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 17: Senior Elephant Keeper Corey Barr gives 55-year-old Asian Elephant Indu a bath and an ice treat in a habitat at the Phoenix Zoo on June 17, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for central Arizona through Sunday at 8 p.m. MST. (Photo by Caitlin O'Hara/Getty Images)
(Photo by Caitlin O'Hara/Getty Images)
PHOENIX – The Phoenix Zoo was evacuated Friday after a bomb threat that police said may have been a “swatting” call.
Officers responded to the zoo around noon. Staff had already evacuated the area as a precaution, according to the Phoenix Police Department.
Officers searched the zoo with staff. No explosive devices were found, police said.
— Phoenix Zoo (@phoenixzoo) May 1, 2026
“Preliminary information suggests this may have been a swatting call,” Sgt. Lorraine Fernandez said in a media advisory just after 1:30 p.m. “Officers are still on the scene, documenting the incident and working with staff to help reopen the zoo.”
A “swatting” call is a false report made to emergency services with the intent of drawing a large police response. The hoax calls typically involve fabricated claims of bombs, hostages, shootings or other threats.
Similar threats were reportedly made today at the Toledo Zoo and the Louisville Zoo.
The zoo will remain closed Friday and reopen at 8 a.m. Saturday.
Authorities asked anyone with information about the threat to contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO.
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Comments
3 Comments
Sadly,... when the Bomb Threat was called in by an Animal Rights Activist,... "Betsy" the Elephant was scheduled for, and expected to receive a 30min cooling spray/shower. -Why don't activists check the schedules before making Animals suffer for their statements?
and now they have taken down the elephant bath picture............. someone woke up?
Given the headline to this article......what is the relevance of the picture showing someone hosing off an elephant?.......this is a great example of why today's media is a laughing stock.