Sun Oct 05 23:55:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text followed by a rewrite as a news article:

**Summary:**

A five-year-old lion named Sheryaar at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP) in Vandalur, India, caused a brief stir when he didn’t return to his night shelter after roaming the lion safari zone. Zoo officials clarified that Sheryaar hadn’t “gone missing” but was likely wandering within the fenced and secured 50-acre safari area. Precautionary measures were taken, including temporarily closing the lion safari. Monitoring efforts are underway using drones, camera traps, and dedicated teams to ensure Sheryaar’s safety and well-being within the enclosure. Senior forestry officials have inspected the area.
**News Article:**

**Lion “Absent,” Not Missing, Say Officials at Vandalur Zoo**

**CHENNAI, INDIA – October 6, 2025** – A minor incident at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP) in Vandalur this week led to the temporary closure of the lion safari after a five-year-old lion named Sheryaar didn’t return to his night shelter. Initial local reports suggesting the lion was “missing” were quickly dismissed by zoo officials.

According to Ritto Cyriac, Director of AAZP, Sheryaar, who was brought to the zoo as part of an animal exchange program from Bannerghatta National Park two years ago, is safely within the 50-acre, fully-fenced lion safari zone. “The area is completely compounded and fenced, and there’s no way the animal could get out,” Cyriac stated. “The lion could be moving around inside.”

Officials confirmed Sheryaar was spotted within the safari zone on October 4th and again by pugmarks on October 5th. The lion appeared healthy and calm. As a precautionary measure, the lion safari has been temporarily closed to allow focused monitoring efforts.

Five dedicated teams have been deployed to monitor Sheryaar’s well-being, utilizing drones (including thermal imaging drones at night) and ten strategically placed camera traps. The perimeter of the safari zone is secured by both a boundary wall and chain-link mesh fencing.

“Similar incidents have occurred in the past, and in such cases, the lion typically returns on its own,” Cyriac added.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Srinivas R. Reddy and Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra have inspected the safari area to oversee the ongoing efforts. The zoo assures the public that the safety and well-being of Sheryaar is the top priority. The Lion Safari will remain closed untill Sheryaar is found.

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