Missing lion ‘Sheryaar’: What’s happening at Chennai’s Vandalur zoo?

Chennai: A young lion named Sheryaar has kept officials on high alert at Vandalur Zoo after disappearing into the dense 50-acre safari zone, refusing to return to his night shelter since Friday.

Sheryaar, five years old, was recently introduced to the lion safari at Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur. Zoo director Ritto Cyriac said the lion was brought from Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bengaluru, in 2023. He was last seen exploring the expansive safari area, which is covered with dense vegetation and secured by boundary walls and chain-link fencing.

Security measures were promptly increased when Sheryaar did not enter his usual shelter. Five dedicated search teams were deployed, and on Saturday, the lion was sighted within the safari boundaries. By Sunday, pugmarks and rake marks near the perimeter confirmed that Sheryaar remains inside, displaying the exploratory behaviour typical of young lions newly introduced to such environments.

To ensure his safety and maintain the integrity of the safari, officials are monitoring the area around the clock using daytime drones, thermal imaging drones at night, and ten strategically placed camera traps. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra personally inspected the safari on Sunday, reviewing the measures, interacting with monitoring teams, and instructing full photographic and video documentation of the lion’s movements.

Tracking efforts have also been supported by the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation and Research. Zoo authorities reassured the public that similar incidents have occurred previously, with lions typically returning to their shelters within two to three days, and confirmed that comprehensive measures are in place to safeguard Sheryaar’s well-being.