It appears that the wolves found outside their enclosure at the Greater Vancouver Zoo on Tuesday were deliberately released, according to officials. The Greater Vancouver Zoo issued a statement Tuesday afternoon describing the animals' escape as suspicious, indicating that it was "due to malicious intent." Zoo officials said in the statement that the Langley RCMP police are investigating it as an apparent illegal entry and vandalism.

The zoo houses 15 wolves, including 6 newborn wolves, but authorities did not confirm how many had left their enclosures. Zoo officials said they found most of them, but a small number remained free until Tuesday afternoon. They noted that the wolves do not pose a danger to the public, but they requested that anyone who finds one in the area contact the police or B.C. Conservation Officer services. Families hoping to visit the zoo on Tuesday were turned away at the gates as staff responded to the wolf escape incident. There were no reports of attacks or injuries related to the incident.