Greenville Zoo’s leopard tranquilized, returned after escaping exhibit

GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) – City officers mentioned the Greenville Zoo’s four-year-old Amur leopard escaped her exhibit on Thursday morning.

Officials mentioned Irina the leopard left her enclosure and was free throughout the zoo grounds round 8:42 am Zoo workers and company have been evacuated as a precaution.

Greenville police and metropolis workers responded and arrange a fringe across the zoo and within the Cleveland Park space.

At roughly 9:20, Greenville Zoo emergency response groups have been in a position to efficiently tranquilize Irina, officers mentioned. After a precautionary second injection, she was taken again to the secured leopard den.

Officials talked about that the zoo’s male leopard and two cubs are secure inside their exhibit.

The Greenville Zoo will stay closed whereas workers examine, officers mentioned.

Officials mentioned Irina was two years previous when she arrived to the Greenville Zoo from St. Louis in Oct. 2024. The now-first-time mom gave birth to her twin cubs on May 17, 2026.

Amur leopards are critically endangered, with fewer than 150 remaining within the wild.

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