A tiger loose near Paris has forced local authorities to issue a public advisory and send up to 100 gendarmes and police patrol scouring all over a little town east of the French capital.

On Thursday, Montevrain local authorities announced through Facebook that a young tiger had been seen in the woods near a tennis court and a soccer pitch.

Reports indicate that the tiger loose near Paris was first sighted at the parking lot of the Intermarche supermarket. The manager of supermarket Jean-Baptiste Berdaeaux told the press that his wife saw the animal in the morning while she was driving.

 

"She didn't get out of the car and called me to say "I think I saw a lynx," he said. Local sources say many other people saw the animal.

Local authorities, including police, firefighters and wildlife officers, are part of the crews who immediately responded to search for the tiger loose near Paris on Thursday. A helicopter and heat sensors are reported to have also been used in the search.

Wildlife officers were reportedly quipped to tranquilize the cat once it was found. However, one expert revealed that the animal would be killed if it gets dangerous.

In light of the confirmation of the tiger loose near Paris, local authorities cautioned residents of Montevrain, Chessy and Seine-et-Marne to travel by vehicle rather than walk. School children are reported to have been accompanied home. Authorities have announced that the search has been extended to Ashes Park after the animal was also spotted there.

Although authorities say, based on analysis of footprints of the animal, that it is a juvenile of about 18 months old and weighs 70 to 80 pounds, lots of caution has been taken to protect people from the animal.

Officials have warned residents not to cross into the places marked by the police where the tiger loose near Paris has been seen. People have also been urged to contact the authorities if they encounter the animal.

Schools are expected to reopen normally in the areas concerned tomorrow. The search parties have ended their hunt momentarily on Thursday night and are expected to resume on Friday morning. Authorities have announced that schools will be secured by 8: a.m.

The origin of the tiger loose near Paris remains a mystery. All three main theories - that it belongs to Parc des Felins (a wild cat reserve), Disneyland Paris, and a visiting circus - have all been proved wrong. The authorities say the cat is most likely domesticated. However, it is unclear how tame it is.