Lions Escape From German Zoo Enclosure

Two lions recently escaped from an enclosure in Leipzig Zoo in Germany. Unfortunately, one of the two lions was shot dead because attempts to use a tranquiliser failed. The two male lions called Motshgetsi and Majo managed to clear their enclosure and leapt over a moat early in the morning before the zoo opened. The two lions were discovered in a terrified state in the undergrowth. Whilst one of the lions was able to be shepherded back to its enclosure, the other lion continued to remain in an agitated state forcing officials to shoot the animal.

“This is a very, very sad ending, which I really would not have wished for,” zoo director Joerg Junhold told reporters. “But in this case personal safety had to take priority.”

Lions were surrounded

The lions are called Etosha lions and get their name from the part of Namibia where they are from. Unfortunately, the two animals arrived at the zoo just last month from Basel in Switzerland. Once the lions were discovered a short distance from their enclosure, they were surrounded by 40 zoo keepers and their vehicles as the handlers attempted to usher them back.

One was returned safely

They were successful in getting one of the lions back into its enclosure, however three hours later the second lion became increasingly agitated as they sought to tranquilise it. According to local media Majo made it back alive, but Motshgetsi had been killed. The zoo has been running the enclosure for 15 years the director said and until this incident, there had never been a problem, however in light of what has happened, security will be reviewed.

Zoo stayed closed

At the entrance to the zoo, crowds started to build up, however the zoo remained largely closed because of the escape. The last time Leipzig zoo had ever experienced a lion escape was in 1913 which resulted in a widespread hunt with all six lions being killed.