El Paso Zoo remains closed Sunday after bomb threat, evacuation

UPDATE (May 18, 2026) -- The El Paso Zoo reopened Monday.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The El Paso Zoo will remain closed Sunday after a bomb threat forced visitors and staff to evacuate the property during Saturday's Bug Fest event.

El Paso police said an anonymous caller made the threat around 1:45 p.m., prompting officers to evacuate the zoo while crews searched the property.

Authorities said the search lasted about four hours. Officers did not find anything suspicious.

During the evacuation, Sun Metro buses were brought in to transport visitors away from the area, while the El Paso County Coliseum provided a place for families to cool down as temperatures climbed Friday afternoon.

The zoo had been hosting this year’s “Bug Fest” celebration before the evacuation began.

In a Facebook post, zoo officials said the facility will remain closed Sunday so staff can catch up following the incident. The zoo is expected to reopen Monday at 9 a.m.