Farm animal attack: Lion on the loose in southern Turkey inflicts harm on farmer, subsequently apprehended
In the early hours of Sunday morning, a tragic incident unfolded at the "Aslan Diyari" (Lion Land) animal park in the Manavgat district of Antalya, Turkey. A male lion named Zeus managed to escape from his enclosure, leading to a series of events that ended with the lion's euthanization.
Zeus' escape occurred around 2 to 3:21 a.m., and the cause remains unknown, with an investigation currently underway to determine any potential negligence. The lion's rampage led to a critical injury for a 53-year-old farmer named Suleyman Kir, who was irrigating his field about one kilometer from the park. Kir is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
Authorities launched an extensive search operation involving police, gendarmerie, zoo personnel, and the National Parks Directorate. They used drones and cordoned off the area, warning residents to stay indoors. The search led to the discovery of Zeus near the Kumköy neighborhood, where he was found injured.
Despite efforts to safely capture Zeus alive, the danger he posed to people and the environment necessitated the difficult decision to euthanize him. This unfortunate incident underscores the potential risks associated with exotic animal escapes and the importance of stringent safety measures in animal parks.
The private animal park where the escape occurred is located in the Ilıca neighborhood of the Manavgat district. The incident took place in the Antalya province, a popular tourist destination on Turkey's Mediterranean coast. Residents were warned to avoid the area during the search operation, which continued even after Zeus was recaptured, possibly to ensure the area was fully secure.
A video showing Zeus lying near a garden was captured after the initial attack on Suleyman Kir. Faruk Zeybek, a local resident, witnessed part of the incident after being awakened by sirens. The police informed Zeybek to stay indoors due to the escaped lion. An extensive search operation was launched across the resort area between Ilica and Kumkoy neighborhoods following the escape.
Details on exactly how Zeus managed to escape his enclosure have not been released, and the investigation into the matter continues. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining strict safety protocols in animal parks to prevent such tragedies from occurring.
- The search for Zeus, the euthanized lion, involved various agencies including the National Parks Directorate, and was also conducted in the environmental science realm, considering the importance of maintaining safety in animal parks.
- Despite being a popular tourist destination with various sports activities like golf and beach volleyball on Turkey's Mediterranean coast in Antalya, the incident at the "Aslan Diyari" animal park serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with exotic animals and the need for careful environmental-science management.
- As a Turkey-native, Suleyman Kir, the 53-year-old farmer injured by the escapee lion Zeus, underscores the potential risk Turkiye may face due to exotic animal escapes, emphasizing the need for strengthened safety measures within the nation's animal parks.
