Community Corner
Lincoln Park Zoo Visitor Who Scaled Lion Exhibit Fence Was In No Danger: Park
The individual was never in an area that the big cats could access after he breached the barrier Sunday morning.
CHICAGO, IL — A man who witnesses saw enter the lion's den, so to speak, Sunday at the Lincoln Park Zoo was never in any danger after he scaled the fence around the animals' enclosure. Zoo officials said the individual was never actually inside the exhibit or in an area occupied by the big cats, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Chicago police have not identified the man who scaled the metal barrier around the zoo's lion exhibit Sunday, June 18, entering a moat area that the lions are unable to reach, the report stated. According to a zoo spokeswoman, the man looked as if he was in the lions' exhibit, but the moat, which is not filled with water, is on a different level that's inaccessible to the captive cats, the report added. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Lincoln Park and Chicago — or other neighborhoods. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)
The unidentified interloper returned over the fence to the viewing area once police officers arrived at the scene, but the zoo's representative doesn't know what happened to him after that, the report stated. Officials also don't know why the man felt compelled to scale the barrier, and police would not say if the individual was questioned by officers, the report added.
Find out what's happening in Lincoln Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Not only did Sunday's situation appear more perilous than it was, it had the potential of sounding more threatening, too. The lions at Lincoln Park Zoo aren't shy, and they have a history of making their voices roars heard. Check out this recently posted YouTube video for an example of their outspokenness:
A zoo spokeswoman told the Tribune she was unaware of past incidents involving visitors breaching the barriers around animal enclosures.
Find out what's happening in Lincoln Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
One of the lions on display at the Lincoln Park Zoo. (Screen shot from video via Sean Richards | YouTube)
Like What You're Reading? Stay Patched In!
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.