Repeated sightings of what some believed was a lioness near Berlin had prompted concern. However, authorities later said that a search did not turn up what they were expecting
German authorities have ended a frantic search for a “free-roaming lioness” that caused a panic in Berlin after determining that the animal that was seen was probably a wild boar.
“The repeated sighting of the lioness by a citizen in the area of the lock path turned out to be wrong,” according to a statement on Friday. Authorities added that their search turned up piglets.
“After an expert analysis of the available video and an unsuccessful search in the forest area between the various sighting locations, there is no indication that a big cat is in Kleinmachnow or the surrounding area,” officials said. “The level of danger is downgraded by the police.”
Officials from the town of 20,000 people, about 14 miles from the center of Berlin, said on Thursday that the lioness had been “causing a stir” since it was spotted eating a wild boar along a road.
A search for the animal, which involved more than 100 police officers, veterinarians and hunters, as well as drones and helicopters, was focused on three small towns along the southwest boundary of Berlin, where the police had issued warnings about the animal.
At the time, the police asked the population in those towns to “act with the appropriate vigilance” and, if the animal was spotted, to seek shelter and alert the authorities.
It was unclear where a lion would have come from. Although there are zoos, animal protection centers and circuses in the area, none had reported a missing lioness, police said.
