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Police still searching Tbilisi streets for tiger and hyena after zoo flood Police still searching Tbilisi streets for tiger and hyena after zoo flood
(about 1 hour later)
Armed police in the Georgian capital are still searching for a tiger and a hyena five days after the flash flood that obliterated the city’s zoo and a day after the shooting of another tiger that mauled a cleaner to death as he checked a flooded warehouse. Armed police in the Georgian capital are still searching for a tiger and a hyena five days after a flash flood obliterated the city’s zoo and a day after the shooting of another tiger that mauled a cleaner to death as he checked a flooded warehouse.
Hundreds of young volunteers in Tbilisi who had been helping to clear tonnes of debris deposited by the surge of water were ordered to stay away on Thursday because of the potential threat. Hundreds of young volunteers in Tbilisi who had been helping to clear tons of debris deposited by the surge of water were ordered to stay away on Thursday because of the potential threat.
The body of a young girl was found as more wreckage was cleared, bringing the number of deaths from the flooding to 20, with several people still missing.The body of a young girl was found as more wreckage was cleared, bringing the number of deaths from the flooding to 20, with several people still missing.
Heavily armed government officers were on constant patrol, as jumpy residents called in at the slightest noise or strange movement outside. Several reported sightings overnight in the city’s upmarket Vake district turned out to be false alarms. Related: Georgia zoo flooding: what to do if you encounter a tiger
Heavily armed government officers were on constant patrol as jumpy residents called in at the slightest noise or strange movement outside. Several reported sightings overnight in the city’s upmarket Vake district turned out to be false alarms.
“We heard roaring in the street,” one woman told the Rustavi 2 TV channel after police with telescopic rifles and flak jackets had combed her area without result.“We heard roaring in the street,” one woman told the Rustavi 2 TV channel after police with telescopic rifles and flak jackets had combed her area without result.
People have been told to stay away from woods, bushes and other places animals could hide, as well as from possible sources of food such as rubbish bins. “I’m still going out but I’m scared,” said Teona, who works for an online publisher.People have been told to stay away from woods, bushes and other places animals could hide, as well as from possible sources of food such as rubbish bins. “I’m still going out but I’m scared,” said Teona, who works for an online publisher.
After Wednesday’s fatal tiger attack, the Georgian authorities were bitterly criticised for their handling of the disaster, amid accusations they have tried to shift the blame on to the zoo’s management. After Wednesday’s fatal tiger attack, the Georgian authorities were bitterly criticised for their handling of the disaster. There were accusations that they had tried to shift the blame on to the zoo’s management.
On Wednesday night, hundreds of people gathered outside a central government building to show support for the zoo’s director, after he was called in for questioning by police. On Wednesday night, hundreds of people gathered outside a central government building to show support for the zoo’s director after he was called in for questioning by police.
“The government said everything was OK, so we were so shocked when we heard about the tiger attack,” said teacher Natia Koberidze, one of those who joined the impromptu protest. “The government has been so slow and unprofessional.”“The government said everything was OK, so we were so shocked when we heard about the tiger attack,” said teacher Natia Koberidze, one of those who joined the impromptu protest. “The government has been so slow and unprofessional.”
The government says it is doing its best in what a spokesman called “a difficult crisis”. But on social media, politicians have become the butt of many jokes.The government says it is doing its best in what a spokesman called “a difficult crisis”. But on social media, politicians have become the butt of many jokes.
One that has been widely shared is an altered picture of Tbilisi’s mayor and his crisis management team sitting at a table inside a tent at the disaster scene – with the head of a tiger shown poking out from beneath the table.One that has been widely shared is an altered picture of Tbilisi’s mayor and his crisis management team sitting at a table inside a tent at the disaster scene – with the head of a tiger shown poking out from beneath the table.
Georgia’s leading breakfast TV show has been discussing how to deal with an encounter with a tiger. “Run towards it shouting and screaming,” said one guest. “Should you do that for a tiger or a bear?” asked another, indicating the ongoing confusion about which animals remain on the loose.Georgia’s leading breakfast TV show has been discussing how to deal with an encounter with a tiger. “Run towards it shouting and screaming,” said one guest. “Should you do that for a tiger or a bear?” asked another, indicating the ongoing confusion about which animals remain on the loose.
An interior ministry spokeswoman attempted to bring clarity to the situation, telling reporters: “We are only looking for a tiger and a hyena now.”An interior ministry spokeswoman attempted to bring clarity to the situation, telling reporters: “We are only looking for a tiger and a hyena now.”