taronga park zoo

An occupational hazard for zoo keepers

@JudyEv (339464)

Rockingham, Australia

November 1, 2022 10:26pm CST

How would you like to let yourself into your workplace and find yourself facing an escaped lion? I don’t know that this happened in quite that way but five lions did escape from Taronga Park Zoo in Sydney, Australia. The lions breached one of two containment fences. They were free for less than ten minutes. Four returned without fuss and one was tranquillised and returned to its enclosure. Obviously, all available hands are now scouring the fence trying to work out how the escape occurred. Taronga Park Zoo is one of Sydney’s most iconic attractions and has over 2,000 exhibits. The photo is mine and was taken at Perth Zoo, Western Australia.

27 people like this

27 responses

@rsa101 (38148)

• Philippines

2 Nov 22

That is really frightening that wild animals were able to get out of their cages in zoos. I think that they need to make their cages extra secure since they were able to find a way to break out. But that is really impressively fast if they were able to contain the situation in just 10 minutes.

7 people like this

show previous comments

@rsa101 (38148)

• Philippines

2 Nov 22

@JudyEv After that event I think they really have to double check everything to ensure that this would not happen again. There seems to be some kind of lapse in the regular check of their cages every now and then.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

I'm sure they were very surprised to find the lions had escaped. They will no doubt be double checking all the fences.

5 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

@rsa101 They have quite a large area to roam around in which is nice but I guess it allows for more chance of a break-out.

4 people like this

Show more comments

@Deepizzaguy (102523)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

2 Nov 22

I would also be scared if a lion ran away from his fence containment.

7 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

Yes, I wouldn't want to confront a lion.

3 people like this

@Deepizzaguy (102523)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

2 Nov 22

@JudyEv I would pet a Doberman Pinscher on the head while the dog is eating a meal than messing with a loose lion.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Nov 22

I totally agree.

2 people like this

@marguicha (222779)

• Chile

2 Nov 22

Zoos shuld be built in such a way that there is no posibility of having the animals escape

5 people like this

show previous comments

@marguicha (222779)

• Chile

2 Nov 22

@JudyEv From what I have seen in my own house, fences should be checked periodically. Luna discovered a few months ago a way to go to the front garden and even when Claudia repaired the fence, she kept on doing it. When I went to Aruba, I told Leticia to leave that door open so that she could go back to where her running water was. But lions are dangerous, not just intelligent.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

The authorities probably thought there was no possibility of escape but the lions had other ideas.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

@marguicha Pets/animals can be very ingenious and quite determined sometimes.

1 person likes this

@LadyDuck (471276)

• Switzerland

2 Nov 22

That would be a frightening experience. I am glad all the lions are back in their enclosure and no one was hurt. Good shot.

5 people like this

show previous comments

@LadyDuck (471276)

• Switzerland

2 Nov 22

@JudyEv Lion cubs are BIG cats and they can do more damages than a common cat.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

The first reports were sensationalised a bit as four of the five were quite young cubs but they would still have bit and scratched if caught by hand.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

@LadyDuck Yes, that's quite true.

2 people like this

Show more comments

Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (60954)

• Centralia, Washington

2 Nov 22

At least that lion looks well fed. We've been busy with escapees in our zoo lately. The last couple of mornings Annie has gotten out. Once she rolled in dog done it- ICK. Yesterday she tried to get into a school district's van as the driver was trying to drive down the street. I hope I've stopped up the break out spot.

4 people like this

show previous comments

Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (60954)

• Centralia, Washington

3 Nov 22

@JudyEv Maybe so. Annie is frightened of most people, though. When strangers try to help she runs away and the situation is much worse.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Nov 22

@sallypup That would be a worry.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

It can be really hard to keep a determined animal from escaping. I guess Annie wanted to go to school.

2 people like this

Show more comments

@Beestring (14521)

• Hong Kong

2 Nov 22

That is a scary event. It's fortunate that they were able to control the situation in just 10 minutes.

6 people like this

show previous comments

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

It would have scared the authorities witless. There were members of the public sleeping in tents nearby. They were on some sort of 'adventure trip'. They got a bit more adventure than they bargained on.

3 people like this

@Beestring (14521)

• Hong Kong

2 Nov 22

@JudyEv Wow, it's fortunate that no accident happened.

2 people like this

@pitstop (13734)

• Australia

2 Nov 22

I heard it in the news too. Quite surprising as Australia as very strict rules and quality control and procedures. Hope it ends well for the lions and the zoo

3 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

It's all under control now but I'm sure they are checking that fence very carefully.

2 people like this

@youless (112481)

• Guangzhou, China

2 Nov 22

That's quite scary. Fortunately nobody and the lions get hurt.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

The outcome could have been much worse.

2 people like this

@snowy22315 (180395)

• United States

2 Nov 22

Yikes, now that is what I call hazard duty!

2 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

Can you imagine the panic when the escape was first noticed?

2 people like this

@snowy22315 (180395)

• United States

3 Nov 22

@JudyEv !Yes!! Yes !

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Nov 22

@jstory07 (139502)

• Roseburg, Oregon

2 Nov 22

Did they ever figure out how they escaped.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

I'm guessing they went under a fence or found a hole in it. They might tell us eventually.

2 people like this

@Tampa_girl7 (50188)

• United States

2 Nov 22

Thanks goodness that no harm came to anyone or the lions.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

There could have been a much worse outcome. Four were only cubs but they could still do damage if they tangled with someone.

2 people like this

@Ronrybs (19151)

• London, England

2 Nov 22

Glad they got them back safely. Poor lions only wanted a look around! I am a big fan of cats, of any size!

2 people like this

show previous comments

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Nov 22

@Ronrybs I guess he is sussing you out.

Hopefully he'll approve of the accommodation being offered.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Nov 22

They have a nice big enclosure but there is still a fence around it. Has anyone (as in cats!) turned up to take Mr Hissy's place?

2 people like this

@Ronrybs (19151)

• London, England

3 Nov 22

@JudyEv I have had a caller for several months, but just recently he is turning up more often. He and Mr. H got along. I shall see if I can interest him in the cat cabin. I keep meaning to grab a photo, he is a handsome grey and white chap

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@Kandae11 (54986)

•

2 Nov 22

Ha, l would be uncomfortable even looking at a lion in his cage! I would be thinking - " what if he escapes somehow?

3 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

Some of the pens/cages have a section of glass instead of a fence. That slways worries me. What if they hit it at force and break the glass?

2 people like this

@Kandae11 (54986)

•

2 Nov 22

@JudyEv Exactly.

2 people like this

@Dreamerby (4652)

• Calcutta, India

2 Nov 22

That must have been scary! Were there people around?

3 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

Some of the public were sleeping in tents nearby as part of a special zoo experience. They got a bit more than they bargained on.

1 person likes this

@allknowing (135943)

• India

2 Nov 22

I have always thought about this and remember reading about a couple of mishaps.

2 people like this

show previous comments

@allknowing (135943)

• India

3 Nov 22

@JudyEv No one likes to be kept in cages - even me (lol)

2 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Nov 22

Animals can be determined to escape sometimes. Other times, it's more curiosity I think. The adult in this case led three of the cubs back into the enclosure but one wanted to continue his adventure.

2 people like this

Show more comments

@DaddyEvil (137257)

• United States

2 Nov 22

Well, it depends... Would anyone else notice the spreading... uhm... dark patch on the front of my trousers? And would I have a chance at a shower as soon as the lions were back in their enclosure? (Nobody caught pictures of the sad state of my trousers, either, right?

) I'm guessing you don't know anything about how the lions may have escaped? You didn't "help" them get out, right?

2 people like this

show previous comments

@DaddyEvil (137257)

• United States

2 Nov 22

Uh huh.... I totally believe you, Judy.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

I guess they must have found a hole in the fence or else forced their way underneath. Last I heard they were still inspecting said fence very carefully.

2 people like this

Show more comments

@Fleura (30338)

• United Kingdom

2 Nov 22

I saw the headline about the escape. Glad they got them all back safely.

2 people like this

show previous comments

@Fleura (30338)

• United Kingdom

2 Nov 22

@JudyEv It was bad enough when we thought we had lost a friend's hamster in our kitchen! Glad I'm not responsible!

2 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

@Fleura When we had 23 sheep to look after, they used to 'camp' most of the morning so should have been easy to count but we went over and over getting 22, then 23 back to 22 then 23. Then we'd check a final time and get 24!! etcetera etcetera!!

2 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

It turns out there was only one adult and four cubs but they had to tranquilise one of the cubs. It's good it ended up well and now no doubt they'll make doubly sure the fence is secure.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

Anindita Sengupta

@aninditasen (16377)

• Raurkela, India

2 Nov 22

Thank God they didn't hurt anyone, especially the zoo officials.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Nov 22

They weren't out for very long but even a short period is still too long when it's about escaped lions.

2 people like this

Anindita Sengupta

@aninditasen (16377)

• Raurkela, India

3 Nov 22

@JudyEv Yes, though I love wild animals I am very frightened to go close to them.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Nov 22

What a beautiful lion. I can only imagine how scared the employees must have been.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Nov 22

It would be their worst nightmare I would think.

2 people like this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

3 Nov 22

@JudyEv I am sure you are correct.

1 person likes this

@Neil43 (3305)

•

2 Nov 22

OMG! Good thing nobody was bitten by them.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (339464)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Nov 22

It's not really what you want happening in a zoo.

2 people like this

@Neil43 (3305)

•

3 Nov 22

@JudyEv Are the lions really wild and dangerous?