Brandenburg's interior minister defends the police in the search for a supposed Löwin in Kleinmachnow in the search for a supposed Löwin

Brandenburg's interior minister defends the police in the search for a supposed Löwin in Kleinmachnow in the search for a supposed Löwin

Major deployment of the police in the search for supposed lioness in Brandenburg - no hint found

Brandenburg's Interior Minister Michael Stübgen (CDU) defended the police's large -scale deployment in the search for a supposed Löwin in Kleinmachnow south of Berlin. The security of the population has top priority, says Stübgen. After the first indications, it could not be ruled out that it was a predator. The measures were therefore "absolutely appropriate". He thanked all the emergency services involved.

The police had searched for the wild animal for over a day in the Kleinmachnow area and in the south of Berlin. After a video and an observation by police officers, the officials suspected a lioness in the area. However, the search ended on Friday because no evidence of a lioness was found. The authorities no longer saw an acute danger and raised the warning.

Nevertheless, the police remain on site with reinforced forces. After all search measures have not provided any further information, the forces can be adjusted, said Stübgen. The police presence remains for the time being and the officials are always available to the citizens.

The evaluation of the mission has not yet been completed, so no statements can be made about the total costs, the spokesman for the Brandenburg Ministry of the Interior said. The vice boss of the German Police Union, Heiko Teggatz, had criticized the costs of commitment and described him as the most expensive safari that had ever existed in Germany's forests. Such use with helicopters, drones and several hundred emergency services could cost several 100,000 euros.

The results of the feces and hair analyzes found in the search are expected to be available on Monday. The analysis of the hair and fecal samples has not yet been completed, according to the city spokeswoman for Kleinmachnow. The results are therefore only expected on Monday.

The traces were secured at the point where a witness had filmed the supposed lionin the night before. After analyzes of the video, experts found that it was most likely not a lion, but a wild boar. The laboratory analyzes should provide further findings.

It remains to be seen whether the examinations will provide further information about the supposed Löwin in Kleinmachnow. Until then, the police are present on site to ensure the security of the population.