Lioness on the Loose! Mirpur Zoo Scare Ends After Hours-Long Chase

A lioness named Daisy staged a breakout this afternoon at the National Zoo in Dhaka’s Mirpur area. The incident prompted zoo authorities to immediately evacuate all visitors from the premises.

The escape occurred around 4:45 PM. Zoo director Rafiqul Islam Talukder confirmed the details to The Daily Star.

Daisy escaped her primary cage, but she remained inside a six-foot-high netting barrier. This netting prevents visitors from approaching the compound. Director Talukder explained that the lioness simply wandered into a secondary area the zoo’s safety net system covers.

Staff secured Daisy approximately three hours later. “We administered sedatives,” Talukder said at 7:20 PM. “A few minutes ago, staff put her back in her cage.”

Authorities confirmed the complete evacuation of all visitors inside the zoo during the incident.

When asked about the escape mechanism, the Director offered a potential cause: “The gate may have been left unlocked.” He confirmed that authorities found no broken or loose grille anywhere in the enclosure. The zoo will form a committee tonight to investigate the incident thoroughly. Currently, five lions reside at the Mirpur Zoo.