Bear escapes enclosure at Melios Zoo Park in Nicosia

On the evening of October 10, 2026, a bear escaped from its enclosure at the Melios Zoo Park in the Agioi Trimithias area of Nicosia. The incident began after 7:00 p.m. when the 60-year-old owner of the facility attempted to feed the animals. The escape prompted an immediate mobilization of local police, the Game and Fauna Service, and the community council, which issued an urgent warning to residents in Palaiometocho and surrounding villages to exercise extreme caution and keep children and pets indoors.

While police reports and local authorities initially treated the situation as a dangerous breach, the Melios Zoo management later claimed the animal never left the outer perimeter of the facility and was secured back in its enclosure by the owner shortly after 8:00 p.m. No injuries were reported. However, the incident has sparked controversy, with the Animal Party of Cyprus demanding a thorough investigation into the zoo's safety protocols and legal status, noting that the facility's operating license was not renewed in 2017.

Authorities, including the Kokkinotrimithia Police Station, are currently conducting an official investigation into the exact circumstances of the escape. The Animal Party has filed an open letter to the Chief of Police calling for technical and veterinary inspections to ensure public and animal safety.