MILWAUKEE — An animal control official says non-lethal traps baited with human food have been set up in Milwaukee to capture a lion-like animal that’s the subject of several reported sightings.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and WISN-TV report the traps were set up near the site of the last confirmed sighting of the animal. Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission executive director Karen Sparapani says it’s likely that the animal is an escaped or released exotic pet and might respond to human food.

Sparapani says the traps will be monitored so pets or other animals that get caught in traps can be freed. She says the lion-like animal would be sent to a sanctuary in Sharon.

Milwaukee police said Tuesday that officers investigated more calls about sightings of a large wildcat in the past two days, but did not find anything.


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