Escaped Chimp Causes Evacuation at Zoo

Gracie, a 15-year-old chimpanzee with a knack for escaping from her enclosure, forced evacuation of the Los Angeles Zoo on Monday when she jumped out of an exhibit area.

Zoo officials said Gracie made her bid for freedom -- her fourth since she arrived here in 1998 -- about 3:30 p.m.

Although she remained near the chimpanzee enclosure and did not pose a threat to visitors during her 45-minute timeout, officials decided to have all 9,000 visitors leave the zoo as a precautionary measure.

After zoo workers surrounded her, Gracie returned to the enclosure on her own.