In Jacksonville, a heartwarming chain of events has come full circle, as a once-missing warthog named Mateo, not only was rescued but has now sired a litter of three. The unexpected saga began last December when Mateo managed to slip away from his enclosure at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
It was Officer Sam Ho of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office who deployed a drone in a deft maneuver to locate Mateo. According to a social media post from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the zoo’s ambassador, Curtis Dvorak, credited Officer Ho’s prompt action as pivotal in not only saving Mateo but also, in ensuring the birth of new life at the zoo. Despite the beast’s ordeal, his return to safety was nothing short of timely.
Recently, the circle was completed when Officer Ho had the opportunity to meet Mateo again, this time along with his offspring. The encounter was light-hearted and poignant, a subtle reminder of the interconnectedness of our community and its non-human residents. This simple yet profound reunion between rescuer and rescued reverberates with a sense of unity and shared responsibility…