GAHANNA, Ohio — Police were looking Tuesday for a lion that several residents reported was on the prowl.

 

"I'm convinced it's a 300-pound to 400-pound African lion (search)," deputy police chief Larry Rinehart said. "We're scurrying. It's a heck of a day."

Television helicopters were hovering over the city trying to spot the big cat. Police contacted the Columbus Zoo (search) for advice on what to do if they find the animal. The Ohio Highway Patrol (search) had a helicopter on standby, in case it was needed.

Residents first reported seeing the animal on Monday. One police cruiser was stopped on a street when the animal bounded across the pavement in front of it.

Rinehart said he didn't know how the lion ended up in the residential areas on the western edge of Columbus, not far from Port Columbus International airport.

"That's the mystery," Rinehart said. "Whoever had it is not giving that information up. There are some lions that are legally owned in adjoining counties and they're all accounted for."

The lion still hasn't been found, but they have seen a coyote in the area now.

BTW, Gahanna is on the eastern side of columbus not on the westside.


www.nbc4columbus.com/news/3267897/detail.html
www.10tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1836733&nav=LUERMoCy

Holy Crap, I grew up in Gahanna.  (If you can say bananna, you can say Gahanna).
Went to elementry, middle, and 2 yrs oh high school there.

The mascot for the HS is the Lion.  

TXL