Wild fox kills two penguins at Wildlands Zoo in Emmen

A wild fox that slipped undetected into Wildlands Adventure Zoo in Emmen last month killed two penguins in their enclosure, according to zoo officials. The attack occurred during the night and was later confirmed through surveillance footage and trace analysis. The fox entered the park through a small gap in the perimeter, which has since been sealed, RTV Drenthe reports.

Animal caretakers discovered the two dead penguins in their enclosure the following morning. The birds had clear bite marks and appeared to have been attacked during the night. From the beginning, the zoo suspected a predator from outside the park.

Those suspicions were confirmed by both camera images and forensic trace evidence, the zoo announced. “A fox was responsible for this,” a Wildlands spokesperson said. “We now also know how the animal entered the park; this was captured on surveillance footage and supported by trace analysis.”

According to Wybo Walstra, coordinator of Plant and Animal at Wildlands, the fox entered through a small opening in the park's outer fence. “It was a small hole that the fox appears to have used,” he told RTV Drenthe.

After the breach was discovered, the zoo took immediate action to close the gap. Despite the repairs, the fox returned shortly after, Walstra added. “He came back to sniff around, but fortunately, this time he was unable to get in.”