Police probe reports of a lion roaming near a town in northern France

Authorities are continuing to probe reports of a lion roaming free in northern France.

Police and forest wardens in Prouvy, a small town close to Valenciennes (Nord), are still trying to trace the animal.

It comes after a video was published online showing the animal in woodland near the town.

The poster suggested it could be a female lion.

Prouvy mayor Isabelle Choain initially thought the claim was a hoax but has since changed her mind.

“The authorities are again out looking for the animal this morning,” Ms Choain told The Connexion on Friday (March 3)

“The police and forest wardens are tracing the animal’s tracks… and of course the animal will be caught,” she added.

“I’m looking forward to [the authorities] capturing the animal, and then the story can finally end.”

Northern France is no stranger to big cats - in 2019 an undeclared pet panther close to Armentières (Nord) escaped its owner's home, and in 2021 a puma spent weeks on the loose in the Pas-de-Calais department.

This has led to some jokingly calling the region ‘the French Savannah’.

Past articles

‘Big cat’ captured in eastern France is a Savannah cross

Update: Pas-de-Calais puma can be caught, say French wildlife groups

Escaped black panther on the run again