Story By: Angjela Trajkovska, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

Two reportedly drugged-up women have been arrested for breaking into a zoo after closing time to hug an elephant in its enclosure.

The incident took place at the Botanical Garden and Zoo of Asuncion in the southern Paraguayan capital Asuncion when the animal park was closed to the public for the day.

The two women, identified as Mariangela Guidita Abdala, 33, and Pamela Caceres Fernandez, 28, reportedly entered the zoo to hug a female elephant named Maia.

In 2006, the dangerous elephant once crushed an 11-year-old boy to death when he entered its enclosure to try to feed it, according to local media.

The women were reportedly spotted in Maia’s enclosure and a zoo staff member working that day immediately called the police.

Police spokesperson Misael Aguilera said that neither woman were able to explain what they were doing in the closed zoo.

According to reports, it is believed that they were under the influence of illegal drugs.

Aguilera said that the women tried to run away from the cops, but they were promptly detained and taken to the police station.

Reports said that they were later released with a warning because they did not have any previous convictions.

Maia the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) has lived in the Botanical Garden and Zoo of Asuncion since 1972 and is considered one of the park’s main attractions.

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