About 40 U.S. Zoos and Aquariums Face Swatting Hoaxes Since Spring
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 24
About 40 U.S. Zoos and Aquariums Face Swatting Hoaxes Since Spring
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 24
Summary
About 40 U.S. zoos and aquariums have been hit by swatting threats since spring, according to the Association for Zoos and Aquariums, with recent incidents in Orlando and San Francisco.
Zoo Miami endured four straight days of threats in mid-March — one caller claimed pipe bombs were planted and AR-15 gunmen were outside — forcing evacuations, police sweeps and a daylong closure.
Authorities found no explosives or attackers at Zoo Miami and believe the calls were pranks designed to sow chaos, a tactic known as swatting.
The trade group said the roughly 40 cases are only the incidents it knows about, suggesting the disruption to animal parks nationwide may be broader.