Two hundred police officers are searching for a war veteran and his puma after they fled into the forest as he refused to give up his big cat.
Kamil Stanek allegedly used a knife to threaten Poznan city zookeepers when they went to his house in Myslowice, Poland.
The zoo claims that the Afghan war veteran has been taking the big cat around the country and charging people who want to pet the animal.
Ewa Zgrabczynska, head of Poznan Zoo, said: “It’s not a cuddly toy. It’s one of the most dangerous animals in the world and it could be a real threat to people’s lives.”
Poznan zoo also claims that when they visited Stanek’s house, they found the puma living in a cramped cage.
It was six years ago when Stanek bought his pet Nubia in Czech Republic. However, having pumas is against the law in Poland.
Stanek, who allegedly runs an animal sanctuary with his wife, has thousands of followers on his Facebook page ‘Projekt Puma.’
In one of his posts, Stanek can be seen stroking the puma. “Thank you for your messages and support. Let the media see what an army we have,” he wrote in the caption.
Even the mayor of Myslowice, Dariusz Wojtowicz, supports Stanek and said he shouldn’t have been forced into hiding.
“Love for the animal and a heartless court decision forced him to flee. He is hiding in the forest,” the mayor wrote on Facebook, adding: “Maybe someone could take a more humane look at this case.”
Poznan Zoo said they have prepared an enclosure and expert veterinary care for Nubia.
One internet user commented: “When raised correctly from a cub, they behave more like a dog.”
Another wrote: “I absolutely hate it when people use animals for profit. I do believe he could keep it as a pet as long as it was well cared for, but charging for photos is not cool.”
A third added: “I don’t blame him, run baby run. If someone try to take my 5 rescue kittens, it’s going to be a fight.”
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