Predator alarm at Geiseltalsee: Puma or just a big cat?

Predator alarm at Geiseltalsee: Puma or just a big cat?

A remarkable sighting at Geiseltalsee in Saxony-Anhalt is causing a stir. A big cat was sighted on June 13, 2025 and the information about it did not reach the authorities until June 17, 2025. The police and fire departments responded promptly to the events and immediately began searching for the suspected cougar, which has been causing something of a predatory nightmare scenario ever since. Merkur reports further sightings in the areas of Pfännerhall, Branderodaer Hohle and at the Reifert vineyard.

Drones and helicopters were used to support the search. Despite their best efforts, authorities remained optimistic that it could actually be a cougar. On Tuesday, June 17, a resident reported that a calf near the lake may have been killed by the big cat. This was reason enough to warn the population. A video showing the alleged big cat was recorded by an employee of the district office. Experts have classified this video as authentic, although the image quality leaves something to be desired. On June 18, the district finally gave a cautious all-clear and reduced search measures.

The search takes a turn

As luck would have it, Mayor Steffen Schmitz of Braunsbedra discovered that the animal they were looking for might be smaller than originally thought. Based on a video recreated to illustrate the size ratio, he suspects it is a larger domestic cat rather than a cougar. MDR reports that the great excitement surrounding the sighting has already led to a colorful mix of speculation and adventurous stories.

The population was only informed on Monday after the first sighting, after the animal had already been spotted on Friday. Whether it is actually a puma or not remains unclear for the time being. Police forces and the fire department had to stop the search operations for the next few days because there was no concrete evidence in sight beyond the sighting.

A widespread phenomenon

Sightings of a big cat are not just limited to Saxony-Anhalt. Experts have noticed an increase in the wild cat population in Germany in recent years. These fascinating animals, which live in forests and are good at hiding, are often endangered due to road crossings and natural predators. Deine Tierwelt emphasizes that even if wolves pose a threat, they usually hunt other animals and the wildcats regain ground over the years.

The events at Geiseltalsee are reminiscent of similar incidents in the past. One example is the search for a supposed lion sighting in Berlin, which ultimately turned out to be a wild pig. By publishing rules of conduct for dealing with such unpleasant encounters, the authorities want to raise awareness among the population and at the same time encourage them not to look for or approach the animal. This could lead to further misunderstandings, which is why the population is best advised to avoid their meadows and forests for the time being.

The district has already installed a wildlife camera to keep an eye on the animal, while PETA has offered a reward of 500 euros for information about the animal's owner. What happens next remains to be seen. Only one thing is certain: an exciting time awaits the residents of the Saale district.