French police animal brigade staff scour woods east of Paris for the mysterious feline, inset. Photo / AP
French police animal brigade staff scour woods east of Paris for the mysterious feline, inset. Photo / AP
About 200 police officers, 30 members of the armed forces, a helicopter and specialist dogs trained to sniff out their quarry. And still, 48 hours after it was first spotted, a tiger (or more likely a smaller member of the big cat family) was still on the loose near Parislast night.
In the town hall of Montevrain, just 4km from Disneyland Paris, officials have been left scratching their heads, not only over what the big cat might be, but also where it might be hiding.
In a situation like this, the beast is supposed to have been found after 48 hours, said Cedric Tartaud-Gineste, a member of Nicolas Sarkozy's centre-right UMP party and an official in the mayor's office in Montevrain.
After locals reported seeing a tiger on Thursday, or according to one eyewitness, a big beast with a feline gait, the hunt has been on. Yesterday, officers with rifles were seen marching through surrounding countryside, but local authorities also announced yesterday that analysis of fresh paw prints indicated the big cat was not a tiger.
A delegate of the National Board of Wildlife and Hunting, Eric Hansen, suggested the animal could be a lynx or a big wild cat. Yet in another twist, local zoos and circuses have all denied having lost such a feline.
"Sure [the action plan] has mobilised a lot of people, but for us its all about zero risk," Tartaud-Gineste said. "These means seem exceptional because a lot of people are dispatched, but it is normal for when there are sightings of a beast of the tiger family."
Police were reported to have taken to ringing alarm bells around the area, in an attempt to flush out the animal from its hiding place.
Also taking part in the research is a special search dog, which is normally used to hunt aggressive animals including bears and big game such as wild boar and moose.
Officers on the ground are armed with paralysing darts and ordered to sedate the animal in case it turns out to be an endangered species, but the authorities confirmed they will be given the right to kill it if it becomes dangerous.
The emergency security plan in Montevrain was lifted yesterday because the creature may have moved on.
"We remain vigilant," said Tartaud-Gineste, "but not paranoid."
