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A zoo in Albuquerque postponed its opening Sunday morning after an Asian elephant briefly left her enclosure and wandered onto a public walkway.

According to Brandon Gibson, executive director of ABQ BioPark, staff discovered Alice, a 52-year-old Asian elephant, outside her habitat at 7:30 a.m.

"She was able to breach a section of stationary steel. She was able to kind of push against it and break the welds. We're still reviewing our security footage on that, but that's how she breached her habitat," Gibson told KRQE-TV.

Zoo personnel implemented emergency procedures and safely secured the animal without any additional issues. Veterinarians conducted an examination before Alice was returned to her enclosure, where she was reunited with her daughter, Rosie.

Officials said efforts are underway to fix and strengthen the damaged barrier, a process expected to take roughly two days.

The incident caused a delay of about 30 minutes for visitors Sunday. The elephant exhibit will stay to the public until repairs are finished.