Search for possible escaped lion near Lausanne

Kapo VD - Facebook

Police and the army were called in yesterday afternoon in the search for what could be an escaped lioness around Epalinges near Lausanne.

A local resident called the police to say they’d seen the wild cat in their garden – and then sent a picture. 

That was enough to launch a large-scale search – which involved an army helicopter with a thermal camera. 

Vaud Police sent out warning messages on social media – saying if you see the animal, don’t run – but go to a safe place and call them. 

All the lions that are in the area are accounted for. There are two at the Servion Zoo - only 12 km away from the alleged sighting – and one in the Cremines Zoo in the Bernese Jura. All three are in their enclosures. 

If the sighting is true, then it means one has been kept illegally. 

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