Miami-Dade police are investigating a death near Miami's MetroZoo after a body was reportedly found in a wooded area near the zoo Monday.
The identity of the victim was determined to be a female, but police have officially ruled the incident a death investigation.
Few details have been released on what might have happened, but MetroZoo Director Ron Magill has said the remains were found in a wooded area near the zoo but not on the grounds. The area is maintained by Miami-Dade County, not the zoo, he said.
Zoo keepers found the body near some brush while collecting feed for the giraffes around 1:30 p.m.
"It appears to be an adult female. We do not know what caused her death and we also do not know how long she's been inside this wooded area," Police spokesman Roy Rutland said.
Fire-rescue investigators were also on the scene, but police aren't saying if the remains were burned or charred.
The county coroner will work to identify the body, police said.
Local
"Having gone back there and seen the remains, you know this is somebody's kid, It's very hard to understand why somebody needs to die in the woods like that," said Magill.
The popular zoo is officially changing its name to Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens after 30 years in business. The change is scheduled for July 4.
The zoo is still open as police investigate.
