Lions, pumas escape from German zoo, recaptured after massive search

A bear also escaped, but was shot dead, a local official told AFP.

Earlier, German police cautioned residents in the western town of Luenebach to stay inside their homes. Police in nearby Pruem confirmed today a report from the regional SWR broadcaster that the big cats had escaped from the zoo in the hilly Eifel area. 

A search was then launched involving police, firefighters and veterinarians. German media say the animals broke out after a storm overnight caused flooding that damaged their enclosures.