MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies and fire rescue personnel responded to Zoo Miami on Tuesday morning to investigate a bomb threat hoax.
The M-DSO bomb squad and K-9 units searched the property -- home to more than 2,000 animals -- at 12400 SW 152 St.
Josh Patrick, the safety and security manager at Zoo Miami, said his team implemented a protocol that includes searching for anything suspicious.
“We got a threat, and out of an abundance of caution, the team here did an incredible job with actually evacuating all of our staff,” said Will Elgar, the Zoo Miami director.
Since the M-DSO deemed the threat “not credible,” Zoo Miami decided not to evacuate the animals at the park.
Emergency dispatch sent units shortly after 9:20 a.m. The zoo’s first public update on X about the “unforeseen circumstance” was at 10:35 a.m.
“We will have a delayed opening. There is no immediate threat to the public. Safety remains our priority, and you will be notified once we are cleared to open,” a Zoo Miami representative wrote on X on a follow-up update at 10:40 a.m.
Tourists visiting Miami from as far as Germany waited in the parking lot. The zoo reopened at about 12:30 p.m.
“The security sweep at ZooMiami has been completed & the park has been cleared to reopen by law enforcement,” a spokesperson for the zoo wrote on X. “No credible threat was identified & ZooMiami is now open. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. The safety of our guests, staff, and animals remains our priority.”
Detectives were still investigating the hoax on Tuesday night and asked anyone with information about this or other cases to call Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477 to remain anonymous.
Local 10 News Assignment Editor Mariana Ortiz contributed to this report.
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Related social media
We received a potential threat that's believed to be a hoax. Out of caution, staff were evacuated & a sweep is underway. We will have a delayed opening. There is no immediate threat to the public. Safety remains our priority, and you will be notified once we are cleared to open.
— Zoo Miami (@zoomiami) December 23, 2025
Zoo Miami is currently closed due to an unforeseen circumstance. We will provide updates as soon as we can. pic.twitter.com/e2DhjZhFwF
— Zoo Miami (@zoomiami) December 23, 2025
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