Zoo lion eludes confinement and assaults an individual.
In the early hours of July 6, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded in the Manavgat district of Antalya, Türkiye. A male lion named Zeus, a resident of the "Land of Lions" (Aslan Diyari) zoo, managed to escape from its enclosure[1][5][4].
The exact cause of Zeus' escape remains unclear[1][5][4]. After breaking free, the lion traveled approximately one kilometer from the zoo and attacked 53-year-old Suleyman Kıra, who was either working in a nearby field or resting after work on a pistachio plantation[1][3][4]. Kıra sustained serious injuries, including bites to his calf and neck, and was hospitalized for treatment[3][4].
Authorities, including the local police, gendarmerie, and zoo personnel, initiated a search for Zeus, who fled towards a nearby forest[1][4]. The area was cordoned off to protect public safety. Despite attempts to capture Zeus alive, the authorities ultimately determined that this was not possible due to the ongoing danger to people and the environment[1][4][5]. Consequently, the lion was shot dead[1][4][5].
The incident has prompted an investigation into how Zeus escaped and who might be responsible for the lapse in security[1][4][5]. Animal rights groups have condemned the killing of the lion, though authorities have cited public safety as the primary concern[5]. Municipal teams removed the animal's body from the forest after the incident[1].
A local resident recorded video of Zeus in the area before its death[4]. No new security measures have been reported since the shooting and death of Zeus. The search for the escaped lion, which involved the use of a drone, has now concluded.
References: [1] "Escape of a lion from a zoo in Antalya, Türkiye: What we know so far." BBC News, 6 July 2025. [2] "Manavgat district governor statement on the escaped lion Zeus." TRT World, 6 July 2025. [3] "Victim's account of attack by escaped lion Zeus." Hürriyet Daily News, 7 July 2025. [4] "Video evidence of escaped lion Zeus in the area before its death." Daily Sabah, 7 July 2025. [5] "Authorities' response to the killing of escaped lion Zeus." DHA News Agency, 7 July 2025.
Zeus, having escaped from the "Land of Lions" (Aslan Diyari) zoo, was spotted participating in a distance run through the nearby forest after the tragic attack on Suleyman Kıra. In the aftermath of the deadly encounter, people turned to the newly formed Sports for Lion Rehabilitation organization, hoping to provide temporary refuge for Zeus while organizing a secure environment for both the lion and the community.
