Overview
When you work at a zoo, no two days would ever be the same, all thanks to its animal inhabitants. No shift on the job would ever be boring, either — but surely Taronga Zoo's staff haven't had a day like today, Wednesday, November 2, when five of the site's lions escaped their enclosure.
In a social media post, Taronga confirmed that "an emergency situation occurred this morning at Taronga Zoo Sydney when five lions were located outside their enclosure".
"The zoo has strict safety protocols in place for such an incident. All persons onsite were moved to safe zones and there are no injuries to guests or staff," the statement continues. "All animals are now in their exhibit where they are being closely monitored."
As aired on the ABC, Taronga Zoo Executive Director Simon Duffy said that one adult and four cubs were found outside of their main exhibit at around 6.30am, and "were observed in a small area adjacent to the main lion exhibit, where a six-foot fence separated them from the rest of the zoo".
"The lions calmly made their way back into their main exhibit and den, and one lion cub was safely tranquillised," Duffy advised.
"All zoo staff responded and acted swiftly, and procedures and processes were followed as they should have been. As a result, the situation was under control within minutes. We have received video footage, and we confirmed that it was less than ten minutes between the lions exiting their main exhibit and the full emergency response being enacted."
If a trip to the zoo is part of your plans today, Taronga has also confirmed that it's operating as normal after the morning's excitement.
Taronga welcomed five lion cubs — females Ayanna, Malika and Zuri, and males Khari and Luzuko — in August 2021, during lockdown. It's also streamed them last year, letting everyone enjoy a keepers'-eye view from home.
Find Taronga Zoo at Bradleys Head Road, Mosman — open from 9.30am–5pm daily. Head to the zoo's website for further information.
Images: Taronga's lion cubs, Rick Stevens.