Bear escapes from Melios Zoo enclosure in Nicosia district

A bear escaped from its enclosure at Melios Zoo in the Kokkinotrimithia–Agioi Trimithias area of Nicosia district on the evening of October 10. The 60-year-old owner of the facility alerted authorities shortly after 7:00 PM, reporting that the animal had escaped while he was feeding it. Law enforcement agencies, including the Nicosia Police Division, the Mobile Immediate Action Unit (MMAD), and the Game and Fauna Service, were deployed to the scene to ensure public safety.

The owner successfully located the bear within the park grounds and guided it back to its enclosure by 8:00 PM. While the zoo management described the incident as isolated and claimed the bear never left the park's premises, the escape prompted an urgent safety warning for residents of Paleometocho and surrounding communities. Residents had been advised to exercise extreme caution and keep children and pets secured.

Following the incident, the Animal Party Cyprus demanded the immediate closure of the zoo. Police have confirmed that the bear was safely secured and that they are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the escape to determine if any regulations were violated.