Found Wandering in a Hillside at Discovery... Survived After Being Hit by a Tranquilizer Dart
Farm Owner Says "Seems to Have Escaped Through a Feeding Hole"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] On the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday, an incident occurred at an animal farm in Gangneung-si, Gangwon Province, where two baby lions escaped from their enclosure. Fortunately, the lions were captured alive and safely returned to the farm after about two hours.
According to Yonhap News on the 22nd, a report was received by 119 emergency services around 8:30 PM the previous day, stating that two baby lions, approximately six months old, had escaped from an animal farm in Ok-gye-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Province.
The reporting resident reportedly spotted the lions while driving near the farm. Upon receiving the report, 15 people including police, firefighters, and farm officials immediately began a search. They found the lions around 11 PM the same day, about 50 meters away from the farm in a nearby mountain.
At the time of discovery, the lions were roaming the mountain, and the farm owner reportedly used a tranquilizer gun to capture them alive. Although the farm where the lions live is only about 300 meters from residential houses, fortunately, there were no casualties.
However, despite the lions being young, the fact that two wild predators escaped caused some residents to experience fear for a short time due to the lack of clear communication about the incident.
The farm owner stated, "It appears that the lions escaped through a feeding hole installed in the farm enclosure." Based on the owner's statement and other evidence, the police are currently investigating the exact circumstances of the incident.
The farm has been operating since 2016 in a form similar to a "small zoo" for tourists. It is known to house various animals including lions, tigers, bears, and fennec foxes.
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