HOUSTON – The Houston Zoo is investigating allegations that a group of students from Magnolia High School broke into several exhibits and harassed the zoo animals during a field trip.
According to zoo officials, security found out about the allegations on Friday, after a photo of a student attempting to touch a jaguar in the animal's cage surfaced on Twitter.
"At the Houston Zoo the safety of our animals, employees and guests is our number one priority. We are currently investigating a photograph we found on Twitter and will take the necessary steps to ensure our animals are safe at all times," said the Houston Zoo in a statement they released to Channel 2 News. "Harassing our animals is not only against zoo rules, but in many cases against the law."
Several users on Twitter claimed the person in the photo is a freshman at Magnolia High School and that other students at that same field trip "jumped into the elephant cage" and that others "broke into the bird exhibit" and "plucked feathers off the stray chicken."
"It's kind of stupid what they did really," said Magnolia High School sophomore Hunter Hanes.
"I don't think they should be doing that just because they can mess up the animals and destroy the property," said Magnolia High School sophomore Austin Huetter.
Magnolia High School students told Channel 2 News the school made an announcement telling them there will not be anymore field trips to the Houston Zoo.
The Houston Zoo would not say what the students are accused of doing, citing that it is "an ongoing investigation." Officials did say that if the allegations are found to be true, the students responsible will not be permitted to return.