2 Lions Broke Free from Container in Changi Airport But Were Shot With a Tranquilliser Gun

Have you ever seen a cat at Changi Airport?

These stray creatures can be found all over Singapore, but even they know not to come into the airport without a ticket, especially during the pandemic.

However, two rather big cats recently found themselves roaming a certain part of the airport yesterday (12 Dec), uncaged, unshackled, and uninhibited.

If not for a team of experts, these two creatures could have wreaked all sorts of havoc, and perhaps brought a whole new meaning to the airline “Lion Air”.

2 Lions Broke Free from Container in Changi Airport But Were Shot With a Tranquilliser Gun

Some Changi Airport staff must have had to change their pants at work yesterday after two lions broke free of a container at the airport.

The two lions were on their way to an overseas facility, with Singapore Airlines handling the shipment. It’s unclear where the big cats came from, or where their holiday destination is. We’re assuming they’re fully vaccinated.

Reports indicate that there were seven lions being transported in the shipment. At some point, two of the lions managed to break free of their containers, and one of them, perhaps the bolder of the pair, even climbed atop one of the containers and laid there for a bit.

The good news for the airport staff, who must have been worried about getting attacked, is that the lions were within the safety netting installed around the container the entire time.

This is why safety measures are so important in everything we do.

Still, you can’t take any chances, nor expect the lions to obediently return to their containers without any prodding.

This is why the airport staff called in veterinary and carnivore care teams from the Mandai Wildlife Group.

There was a stand-off at first when the team arrived, but they eventually shot the lions with a tranquilliser gun.

Lions Being Monitored

The group explained that the lions needed to be sedated so they could be transported to an animal quarantine facility in Mandai. They operate Singapore’s only wildlife facility that can house and look after large carnivores.

“The lions are being monitored. They will remain in our care for the time being and we remain in close contact with SIA on the matter,” Mandai Wildlife Group told The Straits Times. 

SIA said that while the incident is being investigated, the immediate priority is the lions’ well-being.

Let’s just be thankful that no lions or humans were hurt in the incident.

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Featured Image: The Len / Shutterstock.com