The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was evacuated and closed on Saturday after receiving a bomb threat. Zoo officials said the alert came in at 2:18 p.m. through a security dispatcher, prompting an immediate response from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrived on site within roughly 10 minutes and out of an abundance of caution, officials ordered a full evacuation of the park, which was hosting an estimated 3,000 visitors at the time.
Law enforcement officers quickly began clearing guests and staff from the grounds. A coordinated sweep of the grounds was carried out by multiple agencies, including the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Powell Police Department, and the Columbus Division of Police.
Authorities later confirmed that no suspicious items or evidence of explosives were found, and the zoo was declared safe.
The zoo remained closed for the rest of the day as a precaution while the investigation continues.
