PUMA SIGHTING REPORTED NEAR MUNICH AIRPORT

MUNICH, OCTOBER 7 /SRNA/ - Police have launched a search involving helicopters and drones after a possible puma was reported near Munich Airport.

The search operation is in full swing, but the animal has not been spotted so far, police said in a statement.

A hunter using night-vision equipment spotted a suspicious animal in the Notzingermoos nature reserve in the municipality of Oberding in Upper Bavaria and believed it could be a large cat.

He also recorded video footage that was later reviewed by an expert, who said the animal could be a puma, German news agency DPA reported.

The nature reserve is in the Erding district, close to Munich Airport.

Authorities said it was unclear where the animal could have come from, as no circus with big cats had recently been in the area.

Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and to contact police if they spot the animal or have any information about it.