>
Five lions escaped from their enclosure after the attachments to a ‘lion-proof’ fencing used to secure the animals failed, Sydney’s Taronga Zoo has confirmed.
The big cats escaped the zoo early Wednesday morning, while children from three schools camped overnight in tents as part of the “Zoo Snooz” experience.
It was also revealed that two boys from one school were reported missing on a roll call just as the lions escaped, after teachers and students clambered into safe areas.
The lions remain in a back-of-house area and appear to have no adverse reaction to the incident (photo, Taronga lions)
Helicopter footage on the day showed zookeepers and dozens of police in the lion enclosure inspecting what appeared to be a hole in the fence (pictured)
Zoo staff then risked their lives searching the grounds for the children before the couple were found in a bathroom.
They had been separated from their classrooms during the ‘code one’ emergency – the zoo’s most urgent warning of a dangerous stray animal.
It was activated shortly after 6:30 a.m., when the five lions were first spotted outside their main exhibit — with just a six-foot fence separating them from the rest of the zoo.
Children and teachers were about to start their day when the alarm went off, heard by local residents.
“Our staff responded to the incident in a very professional manner and resolved it quickly,” a zoo spokeswoman said (pictured, zoo staff on Wednesday)
Zoo workers escorted them to designated safe areas, where it was discovered that a student had failed to answer the roll call.
The staff left the hiding place and scrambled through the tent lines and bathrooms before two boys were found.
They were then brought to safety “within minutes” and joined the others at the Backyard To Bush house.
“Our staff responded to the incident in a very professional manner and resolved it quickly, including moving guests to a series of designated safe houses,” a zoo spokeswoman said.
‘We thank our staff and also the exemplary cooperation of the guests.’
Children from schools in Cammeray, Nowra Hills and Old Bar camped overnight on Tuesday.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Education told the Daily Telegram students and teachers were never in danger
Helicopter footage on the day showed zookeepers and dozens of police officers in the lion enclosure, inspecting what appeared to be a hole in the fence.
The spokeswoman said the opening in the fence was secured and the lions would not be back in their main exhibit while the zoo awaits “further technical advice.”
“This advice will help us with any further repairs or reinforcements needed,” she said.
“We would then seek permission from the Department of Primary Industries before returning the lions to their main exhibit.
‘Our absolute priority is to ensure the safety of our people and guests and the welfare of our animals.’
She said the exact timing of the repairs will depend on the advice the zoo gets.
Meanwhile, the lions remain in a back-of-house area and appear to have had no negative reaction to the incident.
They have since been identified as father Ato and cubs Kahri, Luzuko, Malika and Zuri, five of the seven African lions kept at the African savanna site.
“Lions are naturally curious and inquisitive animals,” the zoo spokeswoman said.
“As soon as Taronga’s emergency procedures were issued, the keepers recalled the lions, with all but one of the cubs – safely stunned – returning to their dens.”
The Taronga Zoo Sydney welcomed a nest of five African lion cubs to the savanna enclosure last August.
The animals have since been identified as father Ato and cubs Kahri, Luzuko, Malika and Zuri, who are five of the seven African lions kept at the African savanna site (photo, the enclosure after the lions were contained)