Is There A Lion On The Loose In Milwaukee?
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Police in Milwaukee are investigating a report of a lion on the loose on the north side of town.
Authorities responded after a woman said she saw a large cat, which looked like a lion, roaming the neighborhood on Monday afternoon in the 200 block of East Garfield Avenue.
Officers searched the area, but did not find the cat, police said in news release.
Police also notified the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, who warned residents to call authorities and stay away from any large cat.
Police also checked in with the Milwaukee County Zoo, where all the lions are accounted for, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The department received a followup report Tuesday morning of a big cat just east of Washington Park, near 37th St. and Lisbon Ave., the paper reported.
We're not sure what's running around the city, but all of our lions are safe and sound! #mkelion pic.twitter.com/zbyoD0QsBI
— Milwaukee County Zoo (@MilwaukeeCoZoo) July 21, 2015
It is possible that a cougar, or mountain lion, had wandered down to the city from the north.
Cougars have even made their way to the city of Chicago.
Illinois confirmed three cougars in Illinois between 2002 and 2008.
One was killed by a train in Randolph County in 2002.
Another was killed by a hunter in Mercer County in 2004.
A third was shot and killed by Chicago police in the 3400 block of North Hoyne Avenue on the north side of Chicago in April, 2008. It was reportedly the only cougar ever spotted in the history of the city.
Another cougar was shot and killed by conservation police in 2013 near the western Illinois town of Morrison.