20070107

WW2 bomb find forces evacuation at Hanover Zoo

Around 500 people and more than 2,000 animals were evacuated on Friday after a 500-pound (227 kilograms) World War Two bomb was unearthed in the camel enclosure at Hanover Zoo.

"The bomb was located during construction work because the cage is being remodelled," zoo spokeswoman Simone Hagenmeier told Reuters, adding that the device was about two metres (6.6 feet) under the ground.

The camels were not in residence, having already been moved to other zoos last month, she said.

The bomb was made safe by disposal experts, according to Jessica Aderholdt, a spokeswoman for Hanover police.