Beaver named Cauliflower escapes NY zoo and is killed by car. ‘Heartbreaking’

A beaver escaped a zoo and was later found dead after being hit by a car, New York keepers said.

A 2-year-old American beaver named Cauliflower escaped his enclosure at the Utica Zoo in April, which sparked a search that led to a “heartbreaking” discovery, according to a May 8 Facebook post.

“We are immensely grateful to everyone who helped in the search—those who sent in tips and the volunteers who gave their time and care to search for any signs of him,” keepers said in the post.

A helping hand returned Cauliflower to the zoo after he was fatally hit by a car, zoo officials told WKTV.

Keepers scanned Cauliflower’s microchip and confirmed it was him, officials said.

Cauliflower “was entering a natural phase of life when young beavers begin to venture out on their own,” zoo keepers said.

Zoo officials urge the public to be on “the lookout” and to drive carefully when around water in case there are beavers or other animals around.

Utica is in central New York, about a 55-mile drive east from Syracuse.

This story was originally published May 9, 2025 at 6:22 PM with the headline "Beaver named Cauliflower escapes NY zoo and is killed by car. ‘Heartbreaking’."