SYDNEY, NOV 2 (US) – Five lions managed to make a short escape from their fence at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo early Wednesday, prompting the zoo to issue a “code one” alert and rushing guests to its “Roar and Snore” overnight stay programme. for safety.
The warning was issued after video footage showed an adult lion named Atto and four cubs outside their enclosure at 6.30am (19:30 GMT) although they were still in an area separated from the rest of the zoo by a six-foot fence.
Reuters reported that the zoo’s guards calmed down and returned one cub, while the remaining four returned on their own.
The zoo said its emergency response was activated less than 10 minutes after the lions escaped from the main display area. Local media reported that the lions were confirmed to be back in their enclosure by 9am.
There were no injuries to people or animals and the zoo was open as usual.
“The zoo has very strict safety protocols in place in such an incident and immediate action has been taken,” Simon Duffy, executive director of Taronga Zoo, said at a press conference.
The police were called to the zoo and the staff rushed to keep the “Roar and Snort” guests out of danger.
Magnus Perry, one of the guests, told local media, when his family left the zoo.
The lion enclosure at Taronga Zoo is home to Ato and Maya and their five cubs – Khari and Luzuko of the males, Malika and Zuri and Ayana of the females. Maya and Ayana stayed in the can while the other two were shaken.
The zoo does not yet know how the animals escaped and has launched an official review.
HF