Swatting hoaxes trigger zoo evacuations nationwide
Southern White Rhino Calf (Credit: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)
Recent hoax calls reporting supposed bomb threats and even active shooters have forced evacuations and closures at multiple zoos across the U.S., disrupting family outings and straining public safety resources in several cities.
No explosives or real dangers have been found in the latest string of what authorities are describing as swatting incidents.
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The FBI considers swatting an increasing national problem. Aside from diverting resources, such calls can cost thousands of dollars per incident, endanger first responders and the public and can lead to federal charges.
Why you should care:
In the latest case, police on Sunday swept the Akron Zoo in northeast Ohio after a threat led to the evacuation of visitors. Authorities gave the all-clear, but zoo managers opted to close for the rest of the day.
Just hours later, police were seen stationed outside the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as visitors were evacuated due to a threat there. Some visitors took to social media, expressing anger that they had to leave.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in central Ohio was evacuated on Saturday. Zoo president and CEO Tom Schmid told television station WCMH that due to similar threats at other zoos, employees had a safety drill last week and an exercise Saturday morning that helped prepare them for the emergency evacuation.
Florida to introduce anti-"SWATTING" legislation
In a long press conference with big names like Governor Ron DeSantis and Sheriff Grady Judd, Florida announced harsher punishment and legislation to counter "swatting" which is when someone calls in police to a fraudulent issue.
What they're saying:
"This is part of life now around the country, around the world," Schmid said, noting the uptick in such threats. "And so we have to make sure we’re vigilant."
Big picture view:
Threats also have been called in to zoos in Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida and Arizona.
Last year, dozens of hoax calls to college campuses across the U.S. resulted in classes being canceled, campuses being locked down and in some cases students hiding under desks only to find out later that they were the victims of swatting.
Last week, federal prosecutors announced charges against a juvenile following a series of swatting calls aimed at universities and other institutions in Pennsylvania and elsewhere in August 2025. According to prosecutors, the defendant identified as a member of the cybercriminal group "Purgatory."
The FBI has logged thousands of swatting incidents since creating a national database in 2023. Targets have included schools, public institutions and celebrities.
"Swatting is sometimes conducted as an act of revenge or a prank. It is a serious crime that has potentially dangerous consequences," the agency said in a statement Sunday. "Law enforcement personnel have been wounded responding to swatting incidents, and victims have been treated for injuries such as heart attacks as a result of such events."
The Source: The Associated Press contributed to this report. The information in this story comes from law enforcement reports, statements from zoo officials, and federal authorities, including the FBI. This story was reported from Los Angeles.