Mongooses escape from their habitat at Houston Zoo

HOUSTON – Several small animals nearly escaped from the Houston Zoo in Hermann Park.

Brian Hill, Director of Public Affairs at the zoo, says six mongooses were seen outside their exhibit holding area in the children's zoo.

Zoo officials said the mongooses were never outside of a contained exhibit area and at no time were in any public area of the Zoo.

Four or six mongooses were contained.

Two others were still on the loose, at last check.

The six mongooses have lived in the former prairie dog habitat of the McGovern Children's Zoo since 2013.