Bear safely returned to enclosure after escape at Melios Zoo

Kokkinotrimithia, Cyprus. A bear that escaped from its enclosure at Melios Zoo on Saturday evening has been safely returned, police confirmed on Sunday. The zoo said the animal never left its grounds.

Police response

Police said the manager of a property in Kokkinotrimithia alerted them that a bear was on the loose, and officers were swiftly dispatched to the scene.

According to police, the person in charge of the premises restrained the animal and led it back to its enclosure.

Zoo’s account

Melios Zoo offered a differing account of how far the bear had gone. In a social media post, it described the incident as “isolated and unfortunate” and said one of its two bears “briefly left its pen while the park was closed to visitors”.

The zoo said the bear did not leave its grounds at any point. It added that staff reacted immediately and informed the authorities, while the proprietor led the animal back to its pen.

The zoo said its priority remained “the safety of visitors and the welfare of the animals in its care”.

Police said inquiries into the incident were continuing.