Police officers and hunters searched early Friday for what authorities believe to be an escaped lioness in Kleinmachnow, Germany. They stopped searching later in the day, saying they might have made a mistake.
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Police officers and hunters searched early Friday for what authorities believe to be an escaped lioness in Kleinmachnow, Germany. They stopped searching later in the day, saying they might have made a mistake.
Christian Mang / Getty Images
Officials in the town of Kleinmachnow, Germany, have stopped a massive two-day hunt for what they believe to be a large lioness, saying the massive animal may actually be a native specimen of wild boar.
The creature in question was first discovered around midnight on Thursday (local time) in a wooded area on the southwestern outskirts of Berlin, according to reports. a statement from the Brandenburg Police.
A passerby captured video that they believed was a big cat chasing a wild boar, then shared the footage with police, who agreed the presence of a lioness was “reliable”.
A large-scale search in the flat, wooded area between Berlin and the surrounding state of Brandenburg has been going on for more than 36 hours, with authorities urging residents to stay indoors and keep a close eye on their pets and children.
More than 30 patrol cars, as well as helicopters, veterinarians and hunters were on the scene. Riot police stood by to help protect locals. Alerts were broadcast to the public via loudspeakers, alert apps and social media.
From the outset, however, officials were confused about the predator’s origins. Police and local media reported that no zoo, circus or rescue facility said they were missing a cat.
Then on Friday, Mayor Kleinmachnow Michael Grubert told reporters that it may not have been a lion for long.
A computer analysis of cell phone footage revealed the creature did not have the long and curved neck typical of big cats. Reuters reported. What appeared before the eyes as a long and floating tail could be just a shadow. And the bright color of the animal? That is also found in some wild boar species, Grubert said.
“After another persuasive tip this morning, the police and hunters arrived in a small forest,” the mayor added. “We just found a wild boar family.”
Lionesses can grow up to 9 feet long and weigh between 265 and 395 pounds, according to the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. In contrast, a male Central European wild boar averages about 4’11” in length and can weigh up to 441 pounds, according to the report. European Landowners Association.
But this species is still dangerous to humans, with sharp teeth capable of kill hunter And harassing local residents.
Grubert said the stay-at-home warning was lifted on Friday and search efforts would be scaled back significantly. Even so, he added, police would be ready to respond should the situation change.
