The panic was spread by two lions, two tigers and a jaguar, who escaped from their shelters at a zoo in western Germany, after a severe storm. Teams of police, firefighters and veterinarians were deployed in the search for them, while the residents were ordered to stay in their homes, for security reasons. A few hours later they were located and put back in cages.
The animals managed to escape due to the flood caused by the overnight storm. The zoo was turned into a stream of mud, while the fences were leveled, leaving the animals free.
A mass search ensued, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, police, firefighters and veterinarians. Local authorities did not provide further details on their recovery, but it is known that they were put back in cages.
The animals were found inside the zoo unit in Lünebach after a drone search.
The 30-hectare zoo houses about 400 animals, 60 species.
A bear also escaped from the privately owned Eifel Zoo in Lunebach and was shot.
