Lions and Tigers Hide in a Flooded Zoo in Germany

On Friday, a flood-stricken city in Germany went into lockdown due to fears of big cats escaping from the local zoo; however, it was later revealed that these animals had hidden in their flooded enclosures. According to local officials in the city of Lobenbach, drones were used to locate two lions, two tigers, and a jaguar, but they were ultimately found within their cages. During the search for these wild animals, which involved police and firefighters, local authorities warned residents to stay indoors and secure their doors and windows; it was later confirmed that the animals had never left the 30-hectare zoo area, which had been largely submerged after heavy rainfall overnight. A spokesperson for local authorities stated that a bear that had managed to escape from the zoo was shot dead. The mayor of the city, located near the Luxembourg border, said that after the water level receded, the five animals were found within the zoo grounds. The flood was caused by heavy rain overnight, and the water level in the zoo, situated by a riverbank, reached about knee height. Officials are now considering whether it might be better to transfer these animals to another zoo while the cleanup operations continue. The storm caused significant damage in the area, and on Friday, residents were busy draining water from their basements and collecting fallen trees due to the storm. A section of the local highway was blocked due to rising water levels, and a train derailed, although it appears there were no injuries from this incident. The Eiffel Zoo in Lobenbach, owned by the Walpout family, is home to 400 animals, including a Siberian tiger. Two years ago, in an incident at the Leipzig Zoo in Germany, two lions managed to escape from their cages. One was recaptured, but the other was shot dead. In 2015, an orangutan that escaped from the Duisburg Zoo was also shot dead. Similarly, in 2017, a bear that escaped from the Osnabrück Zoo met the same fate.