By James Halpin of 
Auckland Zoo's rhinoceros enclosure. Photo: Instagram / Auckland Zoo
Auckland Zoo loaded guns and told its carnivore keepers to put the lions away after a man broke into the rhino enclosure and took a bath.
A man broke into the zoo's Africa enclosure in April where video captured the man "staunch walking" the antelope and appearing to wash himself while swimming in the moat.
Now, documents released under the Official Information Act have revealed how the zoo responded to the man's dalliance with the rhinoceros.
A briefing summary created by zoo authorities showed he had walked into the zoo after purchasing a ticket at the front door.
Zookeepers first learnt of the man being in the enclosure at 11.15am, after being alerted by members of the public, but they could not sight him.
He had jumped the 1.5 metre drop into the African safari track, which houses rhino, antelope and nyala.
One witness who watched him jump into the enclosure described the man as having "staunch walked" the antelope and walking back and forth around the enclosure.
He was first sighted a minute later in the habitat's moat, where video caught the man washing himself.
Nearby were the zoo's three female lions, known to be the better hunters of the species.
One zoo team "prepared live ammo" and was on standby in the "designated security location" with their guns on safety.
A vet team was put on standby.
At 11.18am, authorities called for a "lion recall", with the carnivore keepers carrying it out.
Keepers recall the lions with a bell and they are then offered a reward of cat milk or small pieces of meat, Auckland Zoo's website said.
The rhinos were also set to be recalled, but the keeper in charge decided not to as a recall would have brought the rhinos closer to the man.
The gun team was not deployed and the man was out of the enclosure by 11.20am after being persuaded by zoo staff.
He was arrested by police but will not face criminal charges, a police spokesperson reiterated on Monday.
When Stuff asked police whether mental health was a factor, a spokesperson said in April: "Police have made a decision to take no further action in this matter. This is based upon the man's personal circumstances and as such he has been referred to appropriate agencies for support".
Auckland Zoo director Kevin Buley said he was proud of how his staff responded to the incident.
"We are all very relieved that there were no injuries to either the animals or people as a result of what happened this morning. We hope that the man involved gets the help and support that he very clearly needs," Buley said.
This story was first published on Stuff.co.nz.
