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Jake Lawson,

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN)-- A cheetah took a walk out of her habitat at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo on Tuesday afternoon.

Zoo officials state it occurred around 3:40, when they were made aware of a cheetah outside her enclosure.

The escapee in question was none besides Gretchen, the 5-year-old, 60-pound cheetah living in the Scott African Grasslands.

Although Gretchen was somewhere she shouldn't have actually been, she was still behind the public barrier.

Regardless, emergency procedures went into impact. Entry indicate the zoo were closed, and guests and staff were required to secure areas.

Zoo staff had eyes on Gretchen during the totality of the escape. They state she even laid down at one point.

An animal care team reacted, and they were able to get the cheetah back into her night quarters without any problem.

Zoo authorities are now working to figure out how Gretchen was able to slip out of her environment.

The zoo states it has procedures in place for such events, and a review of the incident is underway to ensure the safety of animals and visitors going forward.

Classifications: Nebraska News, News

Tags: barrier, cheetah, emergency, enclosure, five-year-old, gretchen, guests, Habitat, Incident, night, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, procedures, public, quarters, safety, scott african grasslands, safe and secure, staff, zoo authorities

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