Lion And Cub Possibly On The Loose In Red State, Reports Claim

300-pound lioness and cub reportedly on the loose in central Indiana https://t.co/WdFE3jj6w3 pic.twitter.com/gDN5CEmIH8

— New York Post (@nypost) August 28, 2026

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The Madison County Sheriff’s Department said it received a report at 10 a.m. of two large exotic cats on the loose somewhere in the 10000 block of South County Road 50 West.

A resident reportedly looked out his back window and observed an allegedly 300-pound lioness wearing a blue harness heading southwest. A smaller cub was reportedly alongside the lioness.

Previously, the sheriff’s department said it also had received a report from a drone operator confirming the sighting of the animals.

The sheriff’s department could not verify the loose animals, saying no law enforcement officers have spotted the lions after a four-hour extensive search. Police used ground units and thermal drones during the search but no big cats were spotted.

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Did you see the lions? Authorities launched a search involving drones and multiple law enforcement agencies following reports Aug. 27, 2026, of a possible lioness and cub sighting in Madison and Hancock counties in Indiana. https://t.co/FJsatSfDcL pic.twitter.com/ysBJ4bkykw

— WISH-TV News (@WISHNews8) August 28, 2026

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No lions were reported missing from animal sanctuaries as of Thursday, according to the local outlet.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Department said it is unaware of any permits within the county that allow the ownership of a lion.

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