A lioness is believed to be on the loose near Berlin, with people advised to avoid the woods and kindergartens told to keep children indoors.
Hunters, vets, drones and helicopters with thermal cameras are involved in a search on the southwest fringes of the German capital.
More than 30 patrol cars were deployed after an emergency call was received around midnight.
Members of the public reported a wild animal running free in Richard-Strauss-Weg in Kleinmachnow and sent a of the incident.
“The two gentlemen recorded a smartphone and even experienced police officers had to confirm that it is probably a lioness,” police spokesman Daniel Kiep told local broadcaster rbb.
A on Twitter – which has not yet been verified by Sky News – appears to show a big cat in undergrowth.
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Police said they received multiple tips “in the double-digit range” from the public about the animal but said none have led to its whereabouts.
Officers used loudspeakers and emergency apps to warn people in the Kleinmachnow, Teltow and Stahnsdorf areas – who were also advised to keep pets inside.
Officials said riot police had also been deployed “to protect the population” and armoured vehicles were seen in the vicinity.
Anyone who sees the animal is urged to immediately seek shelter and call emergency services.
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Sniffer dogs are also being used. Pic: AP
Local kindergartens will remain open but children are not being allowed out to play, according to a spokeswoman for the municipality.
Police said no zoos or circuses had reported missing an animal, raising the possibility it could be an escaped pet.
A lunchtime update from officials said the suspected lioness was still unaccounted for.
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Mayor Michael Grubert said the aim is to tranquilise the animal. Pic: AP
“We recommend that people shouldn’t leave the house to walk and especially not to go jogging in the forest,” said Michael Grubert, mayor of Kleinmachnow.
He said the of the big cat appeared genuine and the aim was to tranquilise the animal – only killing it if it poses a danger.
“Other reports in Standsdorf or Berlin have not been confirmed so far. There is no eence that the lion has been sighted there,” the mayor added.
Experts say it may be sleeping in one of the area’s many forests.
