Phoenix Zoo evacuates due to reported bomb threat

PHOENIX (NBC, KYMA) - Thousands of visitors had their day at the Phoenix Zoo cut short by a sudden security scare.

Officials say a bomb threat came in at around noon Friday while about 2,000 visitors and 500 staff and volunteers were inside.

Everyone was moved out in about 10 minutes, and police found no explosive after sweeping the grounds.

Out of an abundance of caution, park rangers also evacuated visitors at Papago Park, which borders the zoo.

Zoos in Kentucky and Ohio received similar threats around the same time Friday.

While it's still unclear who is behind the threat, Phoenix Zoo CEO Bert Castro says staff are well trained for these types of emergencies.

"The zoo sits on 125 acres and if you have 2,000 people who are scattered on 125 acres it takes a little bit of effort to get to everybody quickly. The good thing is we have radios and loud speakers and we were able to mobilize our staff," Castro explained.