Tennessee officials hunt for loose tiger after sighting in Knoxville

Knox County Sheriff’s Office has said officials are looking for a tiger who was spotted by its Deputy in eastern Tennessee late Wednesday night.

CBS affiliated WVLT reports Knoxville police squad said three sighting reports have been received of the big cat in Knoxville.

WVLT said crews were sent to the area to investigate overnight after officials said they received multiple calls of possible sightings in the areas around John Sevier Highway near Thorngrove Pike and on Bales Lane .

Zoo Knoxville spokeswoman Tina Rolen said the zoo is not missing any tigers and all tigers at the zoo were accounted for as of Thursday morning.

The sheriff’s office said Wednesday that officials with animal control, KPD, Air Watch, TWRA and Tiger Haven, a big cat rescue in Roane County, are “working to capture a tiger that was last spotted by a deputy in the Forks of the River Industrial Park.”

Report said the team have not spotted the big cat as of Thursday morning.

According to Matthew Cameron of TWRA, a trap has been set and if the animal is caught, it will be taken to Tiger Haven.

Knoxville police, animal control and Air Watch are also assisting in the effort.