Bighorn Sheep Dies After Escaping LA Zoo

GRIFFITH PARK (CBSLA.com) — A bighorn sheep died after breaking free from the Los Angeles Zoo.

The animal escaped shortly after noon Saturday, according to Lt. Richard Parks of the LAPD.

The sheep was spotted around 2:30 p.m. in the 2200 block of North Commonwealth Avenue in Los Feliz.

Neighbors tried to corral the animal until zoo personnel arrived.

"We get animals all the time, but usually not lions, tigers or bears...or rams," Los Feliz homeowner Tom Bruttig said.

When zoo personnel got there they shot the ewe with a tranquilizer and she collapsed.

Veterinarians administered chest compressions on the sheep for approximately 10 minutes.

The animal died at the scene.

"Well, it's a big loss. It's an individual animal that didn't need to pass away," said Zoo Director John Lewis, who believes the sheep died of internal injuries and not from the tranquilizer.

There were eyewitness reports that the ewe may have been hit by a car.

Lewis said the zoo would administer a necropsy to determine how the animal died. They also plan on investigating how the sheep got free and how to prevent it from happening again.