Bobcat named Grace loose after escaping Indiana zoo, officials say. ‘We are concerned’

A 9-month-old bobcat has escaped from an Indiana zoo, causing worry among zookeepers, officials say.

The bobcat, named Grace, broke free from her enclosure at the Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City, officials said in a May 29 news release. Grace is believed to have escaped not only from her exhibit, but also the entire zoo.

Grace arrived at the northern Indiana zoo in December with her sister, Hazel. The two have been in their own housed habitat since April.

Since realizing Grace had vanished, zoo officials said they moved Hazel to another enclosure at the facility. It’s unclear how Grace escaped.

Though zoo officials said the public should not be concerned, they are worried for Grace.

“Grace is roughly the size of a large house cat,” zoo director Jamie Huss said in a statement. “Her prey would range from chipmunks to rabbits and smaller. We are concerned for her safety, and have continued to set live traps and trail cameras in hopes of a sighting and recapture.”

Bobcats are most prevalent in southern and central Indiana, but state officials said their population is growing in northern Indiana. They usually prefer to roam in forested areas.

The zoo said police, animal control and the state’s department of natural resources are aware of the situation.

“Due to her age and size, Grace will likely not be a threat to humans or most animals as long as she is left alone,” Suss said. “Bobcats are quiet, secretive and active from dusk to night; and as with all wildlife, the natural response of a bobcat is to move away from humans.”

Michigan City is situated along Lake Michigan about 60 miles southeast of Chicago.