Animal Liberation calls for end to animals in captivity after lions escape Taronga enclosure
“zoo animals frequently show signs of stress and stereotypic behaviours that build up with frustration…”
A lion escape that placed Taronga Zoo into lockdown has fuelled calls by animal rights activists for an end to animals kept in captivity. But the Zoo has hit back at the comments.
A lion escape that placed Taronga Zoo into lockdown has fuelled calls by animal rights activists for an end to animals kept in captivity.
Mosman based campaign group Animal Liberation are lobbying for the pride of five lions that escaped their pen on Wednesday to be placed in a dedicated sanctuary due to concerns over the ethics of keeping animals in captivity.
Group spokeswoman Lisa Ryan said the escape highlights the group’s concerns over commercially-run zoos.
“This is another example of animals seeing an opportunity to enjoy some freedom – regardless of what that freedom looks like they will take it,” she said.
“The fact that one of the cubs had to be tranquillised to be returned says it all. They’re not happy to go back to an unnatural environment.
“We don’t believe animals held against their will are going to be happy – whether it’s a circus or a zoo – they frequently show signs of stress and stereotypic behaviours that build up with frustration and not only impacts their physical health but also their wellbeing.”
Taronga Zoo has hit back at the comments, saying it promotes positive animal welfare for all animals and takes its commitment to conservation and animal welfare seriously.
“Lions are naturally inquisitive and exploratory animals. While we do not know what motivated them to exit their exhibit, we do know that soon after they left, they were observed looking for ways to return.
“As soon as Taronga’s emergency procedures were enacted, keepers recalled the lions with all but one cub, which was safely tranquillised, returning to their dens. This is reflective of the strong relationship, trust and care between the animals and their keepers, and that they feel safe and secure in their environment at Taronga.”
Animal Liberation is pushing for the lions to be removed from Taronga Zoo and placed in a dedicated sanctuary.
“These animals are being used for commercial purposes. I get that people want to see wild animals but these aren’t wild animals,” she said.
“We would refute the often trotted out line that zoos are about conservation when they’re more about a commercial enterprise and selling tickets to people to gawk at animals behind closures.”
Taronga Zoo has confirmed an “integrity issue” with a containment fence allowed the lions to escape their main enclosure about 6.30am on Wednesday which triggered the full emergency response.
Veterinarians equipped with tranquilliser guns used them on one of the lion cubs. The other animals were returned to their enclosure without issue.
The zoo will conduct a full review of the incident which will be prepared for the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
The zoo said it had strict safety protocols in place for such an incident and the lions separated from the rest of the zoo by a six-foot fence during the incident.
Taronga Zoo’s five 17-month-old lion cubs were born at Taronga Zoo Sydney. Their father Ato was born at Werribee Zoo and their mother Maya came to Taronga Zoo Sydney from Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
Published 4 November 2022 in Daily Telegraph
