A 5-year-old female desert bighorn sheep escaped from its habitat at the Los Angeles Zoo on Nov. 22 and was later struck by a vehicle and killed near the Greek Theatre in the Vermont Canyon area of Griffith Park.

The zoo has four bighorn sheep left in its habitat after one of the animals — similar to the one pictured — escaped and was killed on Nov. 22. (photo by Tad Motoyama)

Zoo spokeswoman April Spurlock said it was the first time one of the zoo’s desert bighorn sheep had escaped since the zoo began housing the animals in 1993. Spurlock said she did not know of any other animal escapes from the zoo during the facility’s history, and said an investigation is underway to determine how the bighorn sheep got out.

“They are doing an investigation and taking corrective measures,” said Spurlock, who declined to elaborate on what specific measures were being taken. “We are not sure how it got out of its habitat.”

Spurlock said the sheep escaped over an eight-foot high perimeter fence surrounding the zoo. The animal was acquired last year, and it was one of five desert bighorn sheep that were living in the habitat. Two females and two males remain at the zoo.

Staff members determined the sheep was missing at approximately noon last Saturday, and began a search in the surrounding area. The sheep is believed to have traveled through rugged terrain in Griffith Park and past Mt. Hollywood before heading south into Vermont Canyon and toward the Los Feliz area. At approximately 2:30 p.m., police received calls about the sheep being struck by a vehicle in the 2200 block of Commonwealth Ave., just north of Los Feliz Boulevard. The driver stopped briefly and then drove away, said Sgt. Frank Gonzalez, with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Northeast Division.

“It was a hit and run. The driver should have stayed, but took off. A collision report was taken,” Gonzalez added. “The animal ended up near San Rafael and Commonwealth.”

The sergeant said the vehicle likely sustained significant damage, and police would like to speak with the driver as part of the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call the LAPD’s Northeast Division at (323)344-5703.

The sheep sustained significant injuries, and was monitored by civilians until zoo staff members arrived. The animal was tranquilized, and died a short time later.

Spurlock said preliminary results of a necropsy indicated the animal died from trauma to the head, neck and shoulder.

“The injuries were consistent with being struck by a vehicle,” Spurlock added.

The zoo has sent tissue samples from the sheep to a laboratory in Washington state to determine if there were other factors leading to its death. The results are expected to be available in two to four weeks.

Los Angeles city Councilman Tom LaBonge, 4th District, said the animal’s escape and death were unfortunate.

“I’m in Griffith Park every day, and I am so sad this happened. Vermont Canyon is a busy place, and cars come out of that park at a high speed,” LaBonge said. “The animal did not hesitate. It was as if it had an appointment in Hollywood. It’s just so sad.”