EL PASO, Texas -- After it was brought to KFOX’s attention that the El Paso Zoo does not have a public announcement system, we wanted to know if that meant safety was compromised, and according to zoo director Steve Marshall it isn't.

"We have to have protocols to handle emergencies,” Marshall said. “Emergencies from having to evacuate the zoo, an animal escape, a fire, we have these protocols, we practice them on a regular basis."

However, the fact remains there isn't a P.A. to quickly contact all zoo goers about a safety concern like a missing child. Instead, Marshall said, the staff acts as the messengers.

“Our staff is equipped with a very sophisticated radio system. We have a series of codes and communication signals that go out and then people have pre-determined duties to do."

But the staff's voices aren't the same as a blaring speaker with instructions, say if an animal has escaped. As was the case about 10 years ago when a sun bear climbed out of his pen and began strolling through the zoo before he was caught and returned.

Mother Cristina Barajas says a P.A. system would help.

"I think that a P.A. system is necessary," Barajas said. “This is a public place and there definitely needs to be a way for parents to communicate with other people and just for communication to be wide open."

Marshall said that as the zoo expands, they are looking into getting a paging system. With the current system, the zoo can be evacuated in seven minutes, he said.