Two otters recaptured after Wisconsin zoo break-in

June 8 (UPI) -- Police in Wisconsin said two otters that escaped from a zoo during an overnight break-in were found swimming nearby and safely recaptured, while two great horned owls remain missing.

The Baraboo Police Department said two otters and two great horned owls escaped from the Ochsner Park Zoo when someone broke into the facility late Monday night or early Tuesday morning and cut the locks off some habitats.

"The police investigation is ongoing, but what they have determined is that they do think that the primary motivation was to release the animals," Ochsner Park Zoo specialist Ellen Gallagher told WMTV.

Police and zoo officials said the two otters were spotted by kayakers Tuesday and authorities were able to safely capture the animals, which were not injured.

Police are asking the public to keep a lookout for two great horned owls that remain missing. Police said they are not considered dangerous.

"The animals that had escaped were not, they're not really going to do well in the wild. They've lived in captivity almost their whole life," Gallagher said.

The zoo was closed for the day Tuesday and reopened Wednesday morning.