Bhubaneswar, Jan. 11: Supriya’s free run for over 30 hours ended this afternoon after search teams of the Nandankanan Zoological Park managed to tranquillise the lioness.

Deputy director of the zoo S.N. Mohapatra said that around 2.50pm today, “Operation Lioness” concluded with the search teams successfully tranquillising the animal after confining it in an area surrounded by walls on three sides and nets on one.

Soon after the lioness Supriya was caged, the zoo was thrown open to visitors around 3.30 pm. The officials said that park activities were back to normal.

Speaking about today’s incident, a park official said the lioness was hiding in the bushes and tall grass behind the zoo hospital. The animal had escaped after breaking the gate of its enclosure in the early hours of Tuesday.

“When it came out from behind the tall grass, search team members shot her with tranquillised darts,” said Mohapatra. He added that it took around 10 minutes to anaesthetise the lioness. She was then shifted to the veterinary hospital, where the doctors checked its health.

Assistant director of the zoo K.L. Purohit said the lioness was in good health. “We had seen the animal moving and knew that she was in good health. But she has not eaten since Monday, we are keeping her under observation,” said Purohit.

The zoo authorities have ordered a probe as such incidents have been repeatedly occurring at the zoo. In November last year, a tiger had escaped from its enclosure during peak hours. However, timely action taken by its caretaker managed to force it into its cage.

Sources said that in past 20 years, at least 10 such incidents have occurred in the zoo.

A former principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), who wished to remain anonymous, said: “These frequent incidents could be linked to the unhappiness of the 127 temporary employees who are not provided with better service benefits. But this sort of protest, if true, is dangerous and the culprits should be taken to task.’’

One of the temporary employees said: “We have many problems and are not paid adequately. Some members are getting consolidated amounts for the past 15-25 years, but we will never commit an act which will put the life of the public in danger. But the zoo authorities should take our dedication into consideration. We were not included in the search operation for the lioness.’’

Mohapatra said the reason behind the escape of the lioness from its enclosure was not clear. However, he suspected that the movement of wild animals near its cage might have provoked it to use force.

“On Monday, the animals at the zoo are not given food. On that night we suspect there might be a wild prey roaming near its enclosure for which it came out of its place,” he said.

Zoo sources, however, observed that the male counterpart was also in the same enclosure and it could also have gone out and returned to its place.