A tiger that escaped a Mexico zoo near the Texas border last week has been spotted, but still remains on the loose.
The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office confirmed a male Bengal tiger escaped the Quinta La Fauna zoo in the Mexican border city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas on Wednesday, raising concerns that cat could have entered Texas, according to KGBT-TV.
The at-large tiger has been visualized but not neutralized despite efforts, the Reynosa Department of Public Security wrote on Facebook Saturday. The department previously shared a photo of the tiger but did not explain how the animal escaped the zoo, which has remained closed since Sept. 4.
USA TODAY has contacted the Reynosa Department of Public Security and Reynosa police for more information.
Reynosa Mayor Carlos Peña Ortiz has worked with officials to coordinate various areas to locate the tiger following the escape, the agency said. On Saturday, the agency said crews located footprints and feces belonging to him.
The animal is presumably a danger to others. Public security officials continue to urge people not to approach or “try to catch it” for their safety. Anyone who spots the tiger is advised to call 911.
Crews tried to shoot tiger with a dart
Reynosa Environmental Protection Director Aarón de la Cruz said attempts to shoot the tiger with a neutralizing dart on Saturday were unsuccessful, according to KRGV-TV.
After following the tiger, it eventually ran off and hid among several trees, De la Cruz told KRGV-TV. The director also shared a photo of it behind several branches.
The tiger appears to be one introduced at the zoo in July and named Tony, Houston outlet Chron reported.
Tony has killed nearby hens and piglets while leaving a trail of paw prints for crews to track, according to Chron. Crews placed trap cages, bait and motion detection cameras around the area Sunday to capture him without causing harm.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Loose tiger spotted after escaping Mexico zoo near Texas border
