A leopard escaped from its enclosure at the Greenville Zoo on July 23.
Irina, the zoo’s four-year-old Amur leopard, left her exhibit early Thursday morning but remained on zoo grounds. According to the city of Greenville, zoo staff have determined that she escaped her enclosure as a result of a “human error.”
Beth Brotherton, the city’s director of communications and engagement, said the zoo has adjusted procedures to ensure a similar incident does not happen again.
Greenville Police Chief Howie Thompson said the police department received a call at 8:42 a.m. and officers immediately responded to the scene. The Greenville Zoo and Cleveland Park were temporarily closed while zoo personnel and first responders worked to contain the animal.
“A perimeter was established according to zoo emergency protocols. Zoo staff and guests were evacuated to strategic locations as a precaution,” according to the city.
Officers secured the Cleveland Park area to ensure people remained a safe distance away from the zoo. Thompson said there was never a public safety concern as the leopard remained within the confines of the zoo.
Emergency response teams tranquilized Irina at approximately 9:20 a.m. on Thursday. She was then transported back to the secured leopard den after receiving a precautionary second tranquilizer injection. According to the city, Irina is currently under observation by the zoo’s animal care team.
Cleveland Park reopened following Irina’s capture. The Greenville Zoo remained closed on Thursday while staff investigated the incident. According to the city, the zoo will reopen on July 24.
“The animal is safe, the zoo staff is safe, and all of our first responders are safe, and all of our public is safe,” Thompson said.
The Greenville Zoo received Irina from the St. Louis Zoo in October 2024. She is part of the Amur Leopard Species Survival Plan, an effort to repopulate the critically endangered species. According to the city, fewer than 150 Amur leopards remain in the wild.
Irina gave birth to two twin cubs in May. Brotherton said the leopard den was renovated within the last year before the cubs were born. The zoo’s male leopard, Basha, and cubs are currently safe inside their exhibit.
The Greenville Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1988. Dan Ashe, president and CEO for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, said in a statement that the accreditation requires member facilities to conduct annual animal escape drills.
“The incident this morning shows the preparedness and professionalism of the Greenville Zoo team resulting in the safety of all guests, staff and the animal,” Ashe said. “No entity is immune from human error, It is just that – human. As an AZA-accredited facility, we are confident that Greenville Zoo will investigate, learn and continue to strive for excellence.”
