Taronga Zoo has confirmed a pride of lions escaped their enclosures this morning prompting a lockdown. No injuries have been reported and staff and people on site have been moved to safe zones. In a statement, Taronga Zoo described the incident as an ’emergency situation.’
“The Zoo has strict safety protocols in place for such an incident. All persons on site were moved to safe zones and there are no injuries to guests or staff. All animals are now in their exhibit where they are being closely monitored,” the statement read.
The alarm was sounded around 7.30am with many locals in the Mosman area reporting hearing sirens in the early hours of the morning. The discovery was made by a construction worker and police were called to the scene prior to the alarm being issued. The lions have since returned to their enclosures.
The Taronga Zoo lion pride includes two adult lions Maya and Ato and their five cubs Khari, Luzuko, Malika, Zuri and Ayanna. The cubs recently celebrated their first birthdays.
The zoo added that it intends to run as normal and that the lions did not leave the zoo premises. Aerial footage showed police in the lion enclosure earlier today.
“The Zoo will be open as normal today. Further details will be provided when possible.”