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Cincinnati Zoo to reopen Friday after threat forces evacuation

Police find no credible danger
Cincinnati Zoo evacuated after threat
Cincinnati Zoo evacuated after threat
Cincinnati Zoo evacuated after threat
Cincinnati Zoo evacuated after threat
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CINCINNATI -- Visitors and staff were evacuated from the Cincinnati Zoo due to a threat Thursday afternoon. Police gave the all-clear less than two hours later.

A threat was made over the phone, Lt. Steve Saunders said. There was a report of a suspicious "device."

 

About 50 visitors and 75 zoo staffers were evacuated. K-9 units swept the zoo and found no devices or other threats, Saunders said.

The zoo closed at 5 p.m. but will resume normal operations Friday, the zoo said in a news release.

Police were reviewing the source of the phone call.

The zoo released the following statement:

"The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden safely evacuated staff and guests today around 3:30 p.m. as a precaution after an unspecified threat was called into Cincinnati Police. The Zoo takes all threats seriously. We will continue to work with Cincinnati Police to ensure the Zoo remains a safe environment."

Watch the full press conference below:

 

Check back for updates.