Police believe there’s a lioness on the loose in Berlin

Berlin — Police in Berlin began a large-scale search Wednesday evening for a wild animal believed to be on the loose in the German capital. It’s thought to be a lioness. The animal was last seen on the southern outskirts of the city, and police were searching a forest area there as emergency workers scoured the ground from helicopters and drones.

Berlin police said they learned about the wild animal from witnesses.

“Around midnight, the message came in, which we all could not imagine. Two men saw an animal running after another,” police spokesman Daniel Kiep told local media. “One was a wild boar and the other was apparently a wild cat, a lioness. The two men also recorded a video and even experienced police officers confirmed that it is probably a lioness”.

Helicopters with thermal imaging cameras were taking part in the search for the animal. Veterinarians and hunters were also called in.

“There have been various sightings, so that we actually assume at the moment that a lioness runs freely through Teltow, Stahnsdorf and Kleinmachnow or the adjacent area of the federal capital,” Keip said.

Police said Thursday that they suspected the lioness was in a small forest area and probably resting, but after another reported sighting in the woods, officers came to a tennis club nearby and warned people there to remain indoors.

It was unclear where the animal might have come from.

“Neither zoos nor circuses are missing such an animal,” the police spokesman told reporters. There was also no immediate evidence that a private household in the area had been keeping a lion as a pet.

If the animal is found, authorities will have to decide whether to sedate or kill it.

Local police advised residents not to leave their homes and not to keep pets outdoors.

The Kleinmachnow municipality said daycare centers were staying open but children were not being allowed outside. Merchants at the weekly market in the town were advised not to set up their stalls.

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