Bear escapes enclosure at Melios Zoo in Cyprus

A male bear escaped its enclosure at the Melios Zoo in Agioi Trimithias, Nicosia district, on the evening of October 10, 2026. The 60-year-old owner of the facility reported the incident to the police around 7:00 p.m., stating the escape occurred while he was feeding the animals. Local authorities, including police, special response units, and wildlife officers, were deployed to the area. According to the owner, the bear remained within the park's fenced premises throughout the incident and was successfully guided back to its cage by him approximately one hour later. No injuries were reported, and the owner claims the event was handled securely.

The incident has reignited a long-standing controversy regarding the facility's legal status. While the owner maintains the park operates as a farm, the Veterinary Services and Environmental Commissioner state it lacks the necessary permits to function as a zoo or exhibit wild animals. Several court rulings, including a Supreme Constitutional Court decision on April 8, 2026, and an appellate court ruling on May 18, 2026, have confirmed that the facility is operating illegally without a renewed license since 2017. The Animal Party of Cyprus has formally requested a full police investigation into the safety and operational conditions of the facility.