![](https://ftw.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2023/12/lions1.jpeg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1)
The Indianapolis Zoo has responded to social-media reports that lions have escaped from the facility, labeling the report “fake news.”
The zoo stated Thursday via X: “Who knew that April Fools’ Day came in December? Reports of lions escaping from our Zoo are not true.
“If you saw this image floating around social media, know that it came from a safari trail camera in Africa. All of our animals are safe and sound.”
The image in question (atop this post) was shared late Wednesday via Facebook by Not Necessarily Kokomo News, checking in from White River State Park in Indianapolis.
The description: “Escaped from the Indianapolis Zoo this evening, they were caught on camera at 6:37 pm on a trail cam along the White River. Be safe out there… do not approach.”
As of mid-morning Thursday, the post had garnered 23,000 shares.
A similar post claimed that the same lions had escaped from the Nashville Zoo.