Texas on high alert over fears dangerous beast could cross border after escaping zoo in Mexico

Mexican authorities are racing to find a massive tiger that escaped from a zoo in the northern border city of Reynosa.

The missing cat escaped from its cage at the Quinta La Fauna zoo around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Mexico’s federal prosecutor for environmental protection said.

Zoo officials alerted local, state and federal authorities and posted messages on social media to warn the public and ask for their help in finding the feral cat.

Mexican authorities also warned their counterparts in the Texas border city of Hidalgo because the zoo is located near the Rio Grande River, which is also a major crossing point for migrants trying to reach the U.S. border.

The Quinta La Fauna zoo remained closed until Friday

Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Lt. Enrique Longoria told KVEO that “we have advised our deputies to remain vigilant.”

The tiger is three years old and weighs about 200 kilos.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency said it had received reports from residents who had spotted the tiger and reported its location, but that the tiger is still at large.

“It should be noted that there are areas of dense vegetation in the area, making it difficult to capture the tiger,” the agency said.

A tiger rests at the Quinta La Fauna zoo in the northern Mexican border city of Reynosa

Aaron De La Cruz, who oversees the agency’s regional office in Reynosa, told local news sources that the tiger ran off after witnesses spotted it.

“At this point the animal has no intention of attacking anyone, but it is still a large animal that is scared,” he said.

De La Cruz added that the zoo normally works with the agency to take in animals that need special care and that this was the first time animals had escaped from the grounds.

“We are taking all necessary precautions to capture the tiger without endangering the population,” he said.

The Quinta La Fauna zoo remained closed to visitors until Friday.