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A large-scale search operation is underway on the outskirts of Munich, Germany following reports of a suspected puma spotted near the city’s international airport.
Police and regional authorities said an intensive sweep of the area around Oberding, Bavari is underway. Helicopters and thermal drones are conducting an aerial search, while ground patrols and local forestry officers will inspect the terrain for tracks.
A spokesperson for the Erding district office said the predator was reportedly sighted on Tuesday night in the Notzingermoos nature reserve. Notzingermoos is just a few kilometres from Munich Airport, one of Germany’s busiest transit hubs.
The office encouraged members of the public to exercise caution, in a statement on Wednesday.
The sighting was originally reported by a local hunter after a wildlife camera captured images of the animal. After consulting with wildlife experts, Munich’s police service believes the animal “could be a puma.”
However, authorities said there have been no reports of missing big cats from local zoos, sanctuaries, or traveling circuses.
Pumas, also known as cougars or mountain lions, are native to North and South America, inhabiting environments ranging from dense forests to arid steppes.
While the animals are typically shy and tend to avoid human contact, wildlife experts warn that interactions can prove extremely hazardous, and have been known to attack humans.
Adult male pumas can weigh up to 100 kilograms and measure up to 1.5 metres in length, recognised by their distinctive tan, reddish-brown, or silvery-grey coats.
Police have urged residents in the Oberding and Erding areas to avoid leaving children unattended, keep their pets indoors, and report any potential sightings immediately to emergency services. Munich Police has been contacted for comment.
The incident comes after a loose tiger mauled a 73 year-old man in another part of Germany in May. The big cat attacked one of its handlers at a private facility near Leipzig and then broke free from its enclosure. The animal was later shot dead by authorities in gardens nearby.