The moment the zoo owner entered the cage to feed the two bears was the opportunity one of them seized to escape.
It was shortly after 7 p.m. yesterday when—according to the manager—all the visitors had left. The male bear escaped through one of the three exits in its specially designed enclosure and began roaming inside the zoo.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“I called the police; officers arrived immediately. I told them to stay in the parking lot because the situation was under control and there was no danger. I just called them for their safety, in case it ended up outside the fence.”
Menelaos Menelaou – Owner of Melios Zoo
The owner categorically denies that the animal managed to escape the zoo and, as he states, it was only wandering around inside the grounds for a few minutes.
“Around 8 o’clock, I gently guided the one that was outside back into her cage in my own way. I closed the doors, called the police, they came, and saw that the animal was indeed safely back in its cage.”
Menelaos Menelaou
Nevertheless, the alarm had already been raised, as the Palio-Metochou Community Council, in an urgent announcement, had reported that a bear had escaped from the zoo and urged local residents to be especially cautious.
Residents’ comments
“We were all worried—how could you not be worried about something like that?”—Local
residents here, of course we were worried. We wondered how it got out.—At
first, we were worried when we heard the bear had escaped, but since we later read that it was still inside the enclosure, there was no reason to worry.
–I thought it might come to our area and cause serious harm.
Others reacted to the news with greater calm.
Citizen Statements
-“Were you worried?” “Not
at all.” I’d actually planned to come here since yesterday; a friend of mine told me, “You’re lucky because a bear escaped on the very day you said you were going,” so I said, “I’ll go instead—I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.”
-“Actually, when I saw it, I thought it was a good opportunity to come see it up close. That’s why we came today.”
Uproar
Many questions have been raised surrounding the incident. The Animal Rights Party has expressed outrage and, in an open letter to the Chief of Police, is calling for a full investigation.
“Because this incident involves a potential threat to human life, public safety, and the animal’s own welfare, we believe a thorough, objective, and specialized investigation is required, without jumping to conclusions and without considering the matter closed simply because the bear has returned to its enclosure.”
Animal Rights Party
The debate over the operating status of this particular facility has returned to the forefront. In his statement, the relevant Commissioner notes that there are court rulings issued due to non-compliance with laws and regulations concerning animal welfare.
“Unfortunately, these recent developments confirm precisely all of these concerns and all of the complaints that have been raised from time to time. The relevant authorities should have already proceeded with the enforcement of the court rulings.”
Elias Myrianthos – Commissioner for the Environment and Animal Welfare
“The area where they live was inspected by the relevant authorities, and it does not appear that the space or the structures are too small for their well-being. I have had no complaints so far.”
Menelaos Menelaou
The police are continuing their investigation, in coordination with the Veterinary Services.
Watch the report by Rafaella Stavrinou:
