Zoo Miami Closes After Anonymous Bomb Threat ‘Swatting’ Call Prompts Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Security Sweep

Closure ordered as deputies investigate reported bomb threat

Zoo Miami closed to the public Friday afternoon, March 13, 2026, after an anonymous phone call reported a bomb threat, prompting a law enforcement response and a security sweep of the property. Deputies confirmed the incident was treated as a “swatting” call, a term used for hoax reports intended to trigger an emergency response.

Authorities said the call appeared to be a hoax, but the zoo remained closed while deputies conducted checks “out of an abundance of caution.” Zoo Miami posted that it would provide additional updates as information became available. As of the initial reports Friday afternoon, there was no confirmed timeline for reopening.

What ‘swatting’ means and why agencies still respond at full scale

Swatting refers to false or misleading reports made to emergency services to draw a large police response to a location where no immediate danger exists. Federal authorities have warned that such incidents can create serious risks, including accidental injuries, panic among bystanders, and diversion of public safety resources from real emergencies.

Even when a threat appears non-credible, standard public safety practice typically requires verification steps, particularly when the allegation involves explosives. Those steps can include evacuations, controlled perimeter management, and systematic searches designed to either identify a threat or confidently declare an all-clear.

Operational impact for a major public venue

Zoo Miami is one of South Florida’s most-visited family attractions, and a sudden closure can disrupt ticketed admissions, group visits, and on-site operations. In addition to managing guests already on the grounds, closures can require coordination for staff movement and access controls, while ensuring animal care continues uninterrupted.

The event also follows a similar disruption at the zoo on December 23, 2025, when a bomb threat led to evacuations and a later reopening after a security sweep. That earlier incident underscores how public venues can face repeated interruptions tied to hoax or unverified threats, requiring significant security coordination each time.

Potential legal consequences for false bomb reports in Florida

Florida law makes it a felony to knowingly make a false report about a bomb or other explosive with intent to mislead. Statutes also allow courts to order restitution for costs and damages when a false report results in mobilization or action by law enforcement or other agencies.

• Date and timing: Zoo closure announced and confirmed Friday afternoon, March 13, 2026.

• Nature of call: Anonymous bomb threat characterized by deputies as a “swatting” incident.

• Status at initial reporting: Deputies sweeping the area; reopening time not yet confirmed.

“In an abundance of caution, Zoo Miami is currently closed to the public following an anonymous phone call reporting a bomb threat.”

The investigation into the call and any efforts to identify the caller were not detailed in initial public updates. Zoo operations and public access were expected to depend on the outcome of the security sweep and an all-clear from law enforcement.