A warthog that escaped from a zoo in Florida caught by officials using a thermal drone / myLot

A drone sighting that was used to capture a loose warthog in Florida.

Lake Charles, Louisiana

December 18, 2024 4:02pm CST

Jacksonville Sheriffs Office (JSO) deputies answered an emergency call from officials at the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens on Friday when a warthog named Mateo managed to escape and run away into the palmetto thicket when JSO deputy Sam H used a thermal camera and led a search party to locate the missing warthog. The search party were able to capture the warthog and take the animal back to the animal hospital for recovery. The warthog was found to be healthy and the warthog did not have any serious injuries. At least the drones were used to rescue an animal in this case.

9 people like this

9 responses

celticeagle

@celticeagle (168256)

• Boise, Idaho

19 Dec

I was hoping that drones would get a positive wrap at some point. Glad the animal didn't have any injuries

2 people like this

George B Vieto

@Deepizzaguy (104150)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

19 Dec

I am in agreement with you that the warthog was not injured and returned to the zoo safely.

2 people like this

celticeagle

@celticeagle (168256)

• Boise, Idaho

19 Dec

@Deepizzaguy ........Safe is always good.

1 person likes this

George B Vieto

@Deepizzaguy (104150)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

19 Dec

@celticeagle You are right.

Yumeko

@aureategloom (11397)

• Bosnia And Herzegovina

19 Dec

Mateo went on an adventure

i'm glad he wasn't injured

2 people like this

George B Vieto

@Deepizzaguy (104150)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

19 Dec

I am in agreement with you that Mateo went away from the zoo for some adventure.

1 person likes this

Kareng

@kareng (61740)

• United States

19 Dec

That is pretty cool. Glad the warthog wasn't harmed and back at the zoo!

2 people like this

George B Vieto

@Deepizzaguy (104150)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

19 Dec

I am in agreement with you.

2 people like this

RasmaSandra

@RasmaSandra (80736)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

18 Dec

Poor Warthog was probably not happy at the zoo,

2 people like this

George B Vieto

@Deepizzaguy (104150)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

19 Dec

That could have been a factor why the warthog left the zoo in the first place.

2 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (342088)

• Rockingham, Australia

19 Dec

Drones do have some useful applications at times.

2 people like this

George B Vieto

@Deepizzaguy (104150)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

19 Dec

That is very true.

2 people like this

LindaOH

@LindaOHio (181721)

• United States

19 Dec

I'm glad the warthog was captured and was healthy.

2 people like this

George B Vieto

@Deepizzaguy (104150)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

19 Dec

So am I happy that the warthog was found safe and sound.

2 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (93883)

• United States

18 Dec

I’m glad I didn’t run into that thing.

2 people like this

George B Vieto

@Deepizzaguy (104150)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

19 Dec

I am in agreement with you.

2 people like this

Steve Marshall

@innertalks (22088)

• Australia

19 Dec

Yes, the warthog might have been concealed in heavy bush, and so would not have been easily found, and this shows the usefulness of thermal cameras, to capture such escaped animals.

1 person likes this

warthog

George B Vieto

@Deepizzaguy (104150)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

19 Dec

Drones are very useful in locating animals and humans better than search teams.

1 person likes this