Seneca Park Zoo shelters in place after lion briefly escapes den

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Visitors at the Seneca Park Zoo had to briefly shelter in place after a lion got out of its den.

The Seneca Park Zoo says around 11:30 a.m. staff were performing routine animal husbandry duties with their African lions when one of the lions was able to access a hallway in the holding building.

All zoo visitors in the area of the lion were asked to vacate the area.

The staff was able to quickly and safely move the lion back to her den and the habitat area was reopened to the public around noon.

The incident is currently being reviewed by zoo staff. The zoo says at no time were any members of the public in danger.