A JAGUAR escaped from its zoo enclosure and slaughtered six other animals in a terrifying hour-long killing spree.

The big cat, named Valerio, was sedated after he killed four alpacas, one emu, a fox, and badly mauled three other creatures.

5 Valerio, pictured, savaged nine animals in an hour-long killing spree after escaping his enclosure Credit: Audubon Zoo

Officials said he was spotted by a staff member roaming freely inside Audubon Zoo, in New Orleans, around 7.20am yesterday morning.

He then went on a bloody hour-long rampage - attacking nine other zoo animals before he could be stopped.

Eventually veterinarians managed to prepare tranquillisers and sedated him. Zoo vet Frank Burks later told media that Valerio would not be euthanised.

He added: "Nothing's going to happen to the jaguar itself. Unfortunately, it was doing what jaguars do."

5 Officials managed to sedate him and say he will not be euthanised Credit: Audubon Zoo

5 The jaguar managed to savage nine different animals while on the loose for an hour Credit: AP:Associated Press

The two jaguars at the zoo are kept inside a glass-fronted enclosure inside its "Jaguar Jungle" exhibit dedicated to South American creatures.

Also kept in this area are the alpacas, giant anteaters, spider monkeys, bats, tropical frogs, monkeys and tarantulas.

A zoo statement read: "Our animals are our family. We are devastated by this loss.

"We are mourning the loss of six animals that did not survive and three animals injured (one alpaca named Daisy and two foxes called Copper and Rusty) that are under professional animal care.

5 Ron Forman, the President and CEO of the Audubon Nature Institute, speaks at a press conference yesterday Credit: AP:Associated Press

"The names of the alpaca that did not survive were Noel, Micia, Alexandria, and Lil Melody. The fox was named Maggie Mae and the emu was called Elmo.

"The team responded immediately to the incident. Veterinarians had to prepare tranquillisers and position themselves to get a good line of sight. Once darted, the jaguar was sedated within minutes.

"We are still investigating how this happened. From our initial inspection, it appears the roof of the habitat was compromised.

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5 The zoo was closed yesterday as officials dealt with the creature Credit: AP:Associated Press

"We are still investigating, and no animals will be housed in this enclosure until the investigation and repairs are completed."

According to AP, this was not the first time a jaguar has escaped its enclosure at Audubon.

In 2001, a 70-pound cub named Mulac got loose for about ten minutes before he was brought down with a tranquilliser dart. No animals or humans were injured in that escape.

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