Zoo Miami says park is safe, but bomb threats have been costly

Milena Malaver, Miami Herald on Mar 17, 2026

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MIAMI — Despite receiving bomb threats that triggered evacuations, police sweeps and financial losses during the past week, Zoo Miami is “the safest it’s ever been,” longtime spokesperson and wildlife expert Ron Magill said Tuesday.

From Friday through Monday, Zoo Miami received at least four bomb threats. None were found to be credible.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said it believes the threats might be “swatting” calls — hoaxes intended to provoke a large police response. Even so, deputies were dispatched to the zoo on 12400 SW 152nd St. to conduct thorough sweeps of the property, said Detective Luis Sierra, an agency spokesperson on Monday.

Magill said the zoo is working closely with the sheriff’s office and that there is still a strong law-enforcement presence on site. Deputies are stationed at the zoo daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with security sweeps conducted both in the morning and afternoon.

Magill confirmed that the sheriff’s office is investigating the origin of the threats. While authorities have not yet confirmed where the calls came from, Magill said he understands they appear to originate from “internet sources.”

The threats have been “very detrimental financially” to the zoo, Magill said, citing refunds issued to evacuated guests, temporary closures and the cancellation of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Great Strides 5K Walk. The situation has also been stressful for zoo staff.

The animals have been unaffected.

Despite the disruptions, Magill said the increased police presence has made the zoo feel safer than ever. In his 46 years working at Zoo Miami, he said, he has never felt more secure.

“I don’t think there’s a safer place to be in Miami,” Magill said.