‘Stay inside’: A runaway wild animal on the loose in Berlin urges urgent citywide research

LONDON (Reuters) – A suspected lion has exploded in Berlin, prompting German authorities to send emergency alerts to thousands of people in Berlin warning them to stay indoors.

The message warned thousands of people across the German capital to “stay at home” after a lion was last seen on the outskirts of the capital region.

Police said they received a tip-off from someone who said they had recorded a lion attacking a wild boar, prompting authorities to act quickly and warn people to look out for the big cat.

“The escaped wild animal has not yet been found! We still ask you not to leave the house,” Brandenburg police said in a social media post, warning the public. “If you see the animal, please call the emergency number 110!”

Helicopters and ground searches are currently taking place throughout the area where it was last seen as officials climb in to find the animal before it can attack anything else.

It is unclear where the lion escaped from, but the lions are not native to the country and there have been no reports of any escaped animals from local zoos or wildlife refuges.