Prairie dogs on the lam from Ohio zoo

POWELL, Ohio (AP) - An Ohio zoo is trying to round up runaway prairie dogs and is asking its neighbors for help.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium said Friday 11 of the critters wriggled their way out of temporary quarters and so far only four have been recovered.

Assistant Curator Jeremy Carpenter said in a statement there's no reason to believe the fugitives have left zoo property. But he said nearby residents are being asked to watch for prairie dogs, just in case.

The zoo said the animals are not dangerous.

They were among a group of 20 prairie dogs that arrived from another zoo in November. The newcomers were kept in quarantine until they were placed in the temporary housing two weeks ago.

They were to be introduced into the zoo's regular prairie dog exhibit in the spring.