Toronto police were faced with an unusual case of mischief when animals from a High Park zoo were let loose overnight.

An officer patrolling the park around 1 a.m. noticed the animal pens weren't secure and immediately called for backup, police said. When they arrived at the Animal Paddocks in High Park, at Bloor St. W. and Parkside Dr. around 1 a.m. they found several locks and chains were broken and a fence cut and pried open, letting several animals out to roam the park, said Sgt. John Thibodeau.

A yak stayed close to its pen and was easily ushered back inside, but police had to use crime scene tape to round up several llamas. A wallaby was also safely corralled in the pre-dawn roundup.

The animals grazed on nearby trees until the zookeeper arrived at about 5 a.m. and herded the animals back into their pens, Thibodeau said.

Zookeepers report all the animals are safe and happy.

Parkgoers sidled up to the llama pens this afternoon, while others glanced over from the walking trail. "If you were here today you'd never know what happened last night," said Park Manager Kevin Bowser.

High Park's zoo has been around since the early 1900s when deer were kept in the park. Bowser has a photo of bison in the park's pens from 1905.

Currently there are nine species of animals at the zoo, including half a dozen llamas and as well as wallabys, deer, yak, cattle and sheep.

Bowser said the zoo, which is free to visit, is a popular attraction and is rarely the target of mischief.

Police have no descriptions of the suspects or any motive, but Sgt. Bruce Morrison said overnight police officers will have some good stories.

"It's not something the officers are trained to do, so you kind of make it up as you go along," said Morrison.

Police officers did whatever they could to get the animals back into their pens including luring them with food.

Sgt. Morrison is urging anyone who was in the park last night, or anyone with information to contact 11 Division at 416-808-1100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com {lt}http://www.222tips.com{gt}, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).

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With files from The Canadian Press