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Munich, October 20 – The mystery surrounding a large cat sighting near Munich Airport continues, as authorities have yet to confirm the presence of a puma or any other large feline. A week of intensive searching, involving thermal imaging cameras, helicopters, specialized dogs, and even a police mounted unit, has yielded no definitive trace of the animal.
Initial Sighting and Ongoing Investigation
The incident began on October 7, when a hunter reported seeing a large cat near the Notzinger Moos nature reserve, close to the airport. The hunter captured a video with a night-vision camera, which an initial expert assessment suggested could indeed be a puma. However, police are now referring to the animal as an “unknown cat species” due to the lack of further evidence.
Claudia Fiebrandt-Kirmeyer, spokesperson for the Erding District Office, stated that the thermal imaging camera footage is being further analyzed in collaboration with experts from zoos and environmental agencies. Additional wildlife cameras have been installed in the Notzinger Moos nature reserve, with recordings being evaluated daily.
Extensive Search Efforts Yield No Results
Despite the deployment of various resources, including a police mounted unit, the search has been unsuccessful. A police spokesperson explained that the mounted unit was utilized to access areas within the nature reserve that are difficult to reach on foot or by vehicle. However, even this effort did not lead to any new clues.
Sebastian Pinta, head of the Erding Police Inspectorate, confirmed that no further tracks, sightings, or concrete leads have emerged. Public tips have also failed to provide any conclusive information. Thomas Schreder, head of the district hunters, who reviewed the footage, ruled out the possibility of a native predator like a lynx.
Challenges in the Search and Public Concerns
The Notzinger Moos nature reserve spans approximately 140 hectares, making a comprehensive search challenging. Pinta noted that due to the terrain and animal welfare considerations, officers can only move cautiously, and search dogs are used selectively. No signs of predatory behavior, excrement, or prey remains have been found in the searched areas.
Adding to the complexity, police have been inundated with AI-generated photos and videos of big cats in urban environments, each requiring time-consuming verification. Pinta expressed frustration over the spread of misinformation, stating that it contributes to public uncertainty.
Unanswered Questions and Safety Recommendations
The origin of the animal, if it exists, remains unknown. No zoos or authorized private owners have reported a missing big cat, and a nearby circus confirmed they do not house any such animals. Of the 30 public tips received, only four are being investigated further, with one already confirmed as a false alarm involving a domestic cat.
The Erding District Office continues to advise caution. Dog owners are urged to keep their pets on leashes during walks, and parents are advised not to leave small children unsupervised. Authorities emphasize that big cats are generally shy, and attacks on humans are rare.
The public is instructed not to approach any suspected big cat and to immediately report sightings to the emergency number 110 or the police at 08122/968-0.
Historical Context of Big Cat Sightings in Germany
This incident is not an isolated one in Germany. In 2025, a similar report of a puma in Saxony-Anhalt ultimately turned out to be a large domestic cat. In 2023, a supposed escaped lion in Brandenburg gained significant media attention, only to be identified later as a wild boar. The last confirmed puma in Bavaria was seized in 2022 by border police from illegal trade and transferred to a rescue facility in Munich.
The current investigation continues, with authorities maintaining a cautious approach while prioritizing public safety.
Source: https://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/bayern/raubkatze-in-der-naehe-des-flughafens-muenchen-gesichtet-wie-es-im-puma-fall-weiter-geht-7-18-10-2028-115454111
