Lions slip loose from Sydney zoo enclosure, overnight guests rushed to safety

Zoo employees inspect a lion enclosure, after escaped lions were contained, at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, November 2, 2022 in this still image taken from video. Nine Network/via Reuters TV/Handout via REUTERS

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Five lions managed a short escape from their enclosure at Sydney's Taronga Zoo early on Wednesday, prompting the zoo to sound a "code one" alert and rush guests of its "Roar and Snore" overnight stay programme to safety.

The alert was issued after video footage showed a male adult lion called Ato and four cubs outside their enclosure at 6.30 a.m. (1930 GMT) although they were still in an area separated from the rest of the zoo by a six-foot fence.