The Akron Zoo confirmed its four African lions never left their enclosure after an AI-generated street photo and a routine safety drill fuelled escape rumours.

Published 11 Nov 2026, 07:26 GMT

2 min read

Two lionesses resting at the Akron Zoo in Ohio — Lionesses at the Akron Zoo, Ohio

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Officials at the Akron Zoo in Ohio have assured residents that none of their African lions are roaming the city's streets after an AI-generated image sparked false escape rumours online.

The hoax began circulating on social media late last week with a fabricated photograph purporting to show a lion loose on a street in Akron, days after the Akron Zoo's African lion exhibit and grounds closed for routine emergency training.

"There has recently been inaccurate information about the Akron Zoo's African lions escaping earlier this week. Some statements include a false AI photo of a lion in Akron," the zoo said in a statement on Saturday, November 7.

"Our lions remain in the safety of their habitat," the statement added, as reported by Cleveland broadcaster WOIO, confirming that all four resident lions—male Donovan, born in 2015, and females Mandisa, Kataba and Msinga—were accounted for.

Zoo officials traced the confusion to Wednesday, November 4, when the park closed to visitors to hold its annual large-scale safety exercise alongside the Akron Police Department and the Akron Fire Department, which included a simulated dangerous-animal escape.

When word of the emergency drill met the synthetic street photo online, the rumour quickly gained traction among residents, illustrating the growing challenge of AI-generated misinformation turning routine exercises into public false alarms.

The zoo explained that its accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) requires at least four safety drills a year, covering scenarios such as a dangerous-animal escape, to protect guests, volunteers and staff.

Far from prowling Ohio neighbourhoods, the four big cats spend their days rotating between the public Landon & Cynthia Knight Pride of Africa exhibit and a private outdoor yard, according to the Record-Courier and zoo wildlife care standards.

Araba IncoomAraba Incoom writes on multiple topics with a vast knowledge across different sector. You can almost call me an AI, after all, my initials are Araba Incoom.

Ohio zoo says viral photo of &quot;escaped lions&quot; was made with AI

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Ohio zoo says viral photo of "escaped lions" was made with AI