MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies and fire rescue personnel responded to Zoo Miami after a bomb threat on Tuesday morning.
Deputies evacuated patrons and workers from the property -- home to more than 2,000 animals -- at 12400 SW 152 St.
“Although the threat has been deemed not credible, out of an abundance of precaution, MDSO bomb squad along with K-9 units are conducting a sweep of the facility,” a M-DSO spokesperson wrote in an e-mail.
The response team included M-DSO members of the bomb squad and K-9 units, as tourists waited outside in the parking lot for the reopening.
The computer-aided system’s records show emergency dispatchers 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 received a potential threat that’s believed to be a hoax. Out of caution, staff were evacuated & a sweep is underway,” a Zoo Miami representative wrote on X on a follow-up update at 10:40 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.”
Zoo Miami remained closed at 11:30 a.m.
This is a developing story.
Local 10 News Assignment Editor Mariana Ortiz contributed to this report.
Location
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
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
