Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BumRushDaShow

(171,450 posts)
Sun May 3, 2026, 07:17 AM 5 hrs ago

Zoos swatted in central states: 'Part of life now'

Source: Yahoo! News

Sat, May 2, 2026 at 8:28 PM EDT


(NewsNation) — At least four zoos or aquariums in the central United States were targets this weekend of apparent “swatting” calls that prompted the locations to temporarily close as a safety precaution. On Friday morning, the Louisville Zoo was evacuated for a “safety threat” that police said was someone calling in a claim there was a bomb on the premises.

Police swept the zoo, however, and quickly gave the “all clear.”. Around the same time, police in Ohio reported calls of a bomb threat and gunshots at the Toledo Zoo. Sgt. Mohamad Nasser said tactical units, a bomb squad and K9 officers responded and found no danger to the public.

Waves of fake threats to colleges are putting students on edge and testing dispatchers. The Toledo Zoo closed for the day, officials said.

On Saturday, bomb threats were called on two more facilities that house animals: Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tenn., and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio. “We swept the zoo. We found no traces of any bombs of any kind,” said President and CEO for Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Tom Schmid, who added employees have done recent drills to prepare for such emergency calls.

Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/zoos-swatted-central-states-part-002858914.html

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

Irish_Dem

(82,030 posts)
2. Always ask: Who benefits and how.
Sun May 3, 2026, 07:57 AM
5 hrs ago

Who benefits from the US being a violent, unstable, unsafe country?
With citizens on edge and afraid?

-misanthroptimist

(1,814 posts)
3. Chevy Chase! It's all so clear now!
Sun May 3, 2026, 08:00 AM
4 hrs ago

If not him, then some police-types - ICE or other DHS delinquents come to mind.

Still...zoos?

Irish_Dem

(82,030 posts)
4. Yes attack the most vulnerable: children, schools, colleges, animals, etc.
Sun May 3, 2026, 08:03 AM
4 hrs ago

Gun violence is the leading cause of death for American children.
Kids are not safe at school or college.
Animals are now targets as well.

Who benefits from the US being seen as an unsafe, violent, dangerous place?
With scared, numb, anxious citizens?

magicarpet

(19,153 posts)
5. It is kinda like rape,...
Sun May 3, 2026, 08:39 AM
4 hrs ago

A constant reminder of the power one holds over you to disrupt and turn up side down your life, bring long lasting detriment to your day to days comings and goings.

If you don't do what I want. I will evoke my power over you to remind you of my ability to impact your life in some very nasty nasty ways. If you are foolish enough to contest my power over you - you will pay a very heavy price. Yield and comply to my wishes and demands or suffer inconveniences of great magnitude.

Signed:
Your best friend ,
The Horrific Tyrant,
Love & kisses too.

Irish_Dem

(82,030 posts)
7. Yes a deliberate attack on the US.
Sun May 3, 2026, 08:44 AM
4 hrs ago

To create a fearful demoralized populace. Which is then easy to control and manipulate.

At the same time fire most of the people who are tasked with protecting the American people, and replace them with federal agent whose job is to further terrorize the populous.

None of this is coincidence.
Coincidences take a lot of planning.

magicarpet

(19,153 posts)
8. Governance by low life common street Nazis and semi-professional Gestapo Jackbooted Storm troopers
Sun May 3, 2026, 09:06 AM
3 hrs ago

... employed by the federal government - all under the rubric of djt's private Hessian Army and lethal fascistic security forces he is frantically trying to assemble before the comings mid-term elections.

Conjuay

(3,097 posts)
12. no, my take is completely different.
Sun May 3, 2026, 09:27 AM
3 hrs ago

These people are the ones that think PETA is not doing enough.

So more drastic measures are needed.

EX500rider

(12,674 posts)
15. No one is blowing up animals, they are calling in fake threats to disrupt Zoo's
Sun May 3, 2026, 11:44 AM
1 hr ago

Likely suspects IMO:

Animal Liberation Front (ALF): A leaderless, underground network that engages in direct action, including arson and property destruction, to cause economic damage to industries exploiting animals.

Direct Action Everywhere (DxE): Known for "open rescues"—trespassing onto farms to remove animals—and high-profile, disruptive protests aimed at ending animal agriculture.

Animal Rights Militia (ARM): A radical group known for using more extreme, direct violence and threats against people, compared to just property damage.

Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC): An international campaign that targeted Huntingdon Life Sciences and its stakeholders through intense harassment and intimidation tactics.

Negotation is Over (NIO): Founded by Camille Marino, this group targeted researchers with threats and protests to combat animal testing.

Revolutionary Cells - Animal Liberation Brigade (RCALB): A smaller, radical group associated with direct action against animal exploitation.

OldBaldy1701E

(11,396 posts)
6. They are 'dry runs'.
Sun May 3, 2026, 08:40 AM
4 hrs ago

Whomever this person is may be testing the responses.

The second they see that no one is taking it seriously any more, they will place an actual bomb where their real target is.

Or, this is one or more incels getting their laughs by making others suffer.

For some of those losers, it is all they know.

Nigrum Cattus

(1,349 posts)
14. not "animal rights activists"
Sun May 3, 2026, 11:22 AM
1 hr ago

it's the goddamn RWRE's again
right wing religious extremists hate everything, including other species.
project 2025 says other species are only here for us to use, not enjoy or respect.
they are poisoning everything they touch.

EX500rider

(12,674 posts)
16. Any evidence "right wing religious extremists" hate Zoo's? Or just a hunch you have?
Sun May 3, 2026, 11:47 AM
1 hr ago

I think right wings groups like Zoo's, Circus's, trophy hunting, animal exploitation, etc.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Zoos swatted in central s...