Lion Escape Incident Involving Five Lions at Sydney Zoo... Zoo Remains Open as Usual

Zoo Authorities Investigating Cause of Escape... No Injuries Reported, Lions Are Safe
Taronga Zoo, Opened in 1916, Houses About 4,000 Animals of 350 Species

Baby lions at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] Taronga Zoo, located near Port Jackson Bay in northern Sydney, is a famous attraction that opened in 1916. The name Taronga means "beautiful scenery" in the language of the Australian Aboriginal people. The zoo is home to about 4,000 animals from 350 species. Especially known as an open-range zoo, it allows visitors to see and touch animals up close and enjoy various experiences, making it very popular with children.

At this zoo, a commotion broke out when five lions escaped from their enclosure, putting the entire zoo on high alert.

According to local media including Australia's ABC on the 2nd (local time), around 7 a.m. that day, one adult lion and four lion cubs escaped from their enclosure at Taronga Zoo in Sydney. The zoo houses a pair of African lions and their five cubs born last August, totaling seven lions. The zoo immediately evacuated staff and closed the facility. Police and professional keepers were dispatched to capture the lions.

Of the lions that escaped, four returned to the enclosure on their own, and the remaining one was tranquilized by keepers and safely returned. The zoo announced the incident on social media, assuring that the lions are now in a secure area under strict surveillance and that the zoo will open as usual.

Simon Draper, the chief administrator of Taronga Zoo, said, "Although the lions left their enclosure, they did not completely escape outside the zoo," adding, "Both people and lions are safe and unharmed. We are investigating how the lions managed to get out of their enclosure."

According to AFP, in 1946, a two-year-old Bengal tiger escaped from this zoo, frightening citizens, and was eventually shot and killed by a keeper.

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