Lion chaos at Leipzig Zoo: technology problems and dramatic outbreaks!

Lion chaos at Leipzig Zoo: technology problems and dramatic outbreaks!

A routine slide test is currently being carried out in the lion house at Leipzig Zoo. The two lionesses Kigali and Malu appear restless because their usual daily routine is interrupted by maintenance work. The technical inspection is carried out by locksmiths Amel Osmanovic and Ingo Schramm, who control various elements, including the cable car, taxiway and the sliders of the cages. The lionesses are only allowed to return to their outdoor enclosure once all checks have been completed. The heat and confinement indoors are hard on the animals, which is reflected in their behavior. Thuringia24 reports that there will be a special reward for Kigali and Malu after the maintenance is completed: ice bombs made from frozen ostrich eggs with meat filling, as well as logs with frozen pieces of meat. While Malu shows great interest in this delicacy, Kigali retreats into the shadows. One of the challenges during the work was the announcement from keeper Janine Bürger that there would be no big supper for the lions in the evening.

However, the situation at Leipzig Zoo is even more complex than it seems at first glance. There was a serious incident on Thursday: two lions escaped. Zoo boss Jörg Junhold explained that the lions had overcome a moat that was 6.60 meters wide, which exceeded the official specifications for lion enclosures. Whether the lions jumped or swam through remains unclear as the escape was not observed. However, an additional security area with a two meter high electric fence is intended to provide protection. Junhold announced that the outdoor area of ​​the lion enclosure will be reworked, so that there will be no more animals in the outdoor enclosure until it is completed. LVZ

Sad consequences of the outbreak

After the outbreak, several security circles were set up around the lions' location. The remaining lion Majo was forced back into the lion enclosure with the help of 40 employees and construction fences. However, the other lion, Motshegetsi, could not be brought back and was eventually shot after breaking the inner security perimeter. Before the final decision was made, he was hit with anesthetic darts. The killed big cat is taken to the University of Leipzig for a pathological examination. Junhold thanked the employees who did their best in this critical situation and expressed that the decision to kill the lion had a significant emotional impact on everyone involved.