Bighorn sheep dies after escaping LA Zoo

LOS ANGELES -- A bighorn sheep escaped from the Los Angeles Zoo on Saturday and has died after being found in a Loz Feliz neighborhood.

The incident was reported at about noon. Officials said the animal took off into Griffith Park as park rangers tried to catch the animal.

About 15 minutes later, Los Angeles police said the female sheep was located and contained in the 2200 block of North Commonwealth Avenue in Los Feliz. The sheep died shortly after being tranquilized, despite CPR efforts.

"We set up a perimeter around the animal. The veterinarians darted the animal to anesthetize it, but it almost immediately passed away," said John Lewis with the Los Angeles Zoo.

Earlier reports indicated the sheep had been struck and killed by a driver who may have fled the scene. Zoo officials said they are still trying to confirm that information. There were no obvious signs of the animal being hit by a car.

Officials were still unsure how the animal escaped from the zoo. An examination of the animal is expected to be conducted to determine a cause of death.