Police search for suspected puma near Munich Airport after Oberding sighting

Sighting in Notzinger Moos

Authorities in Bavaria issued public safety warnings on Wednesday after a witness reported seeing a loose cougar near Munich Airport. The sighting occurred during the night between Tuesday and Wednesday within the Notzinger Moos, a 147-hectare nature reserve that spans the municipalities of Oberding and Moosinning. Following the report, the Erding district administration consulted the regional veterinary office to assess the situation. Officials obtained a photograph of the animal, though the district administration stated the image could not be released to the public immediately. Erding district spokeswoman Claudia Fiebrandt-Kirmeyer confirmed that initial expert examinations pointed towards a puma rather than a native wildcat.

According to initial expert assessment, it could be a puma.

Police search operations

Emergency services initiated a coordinated search operation across the Oberding area on Wednesday afternoon. Police deployed multiple patrol vehicles on the ground alongside drones and a helicopter to survey the marshland and dense undergrowth from the air. A police spokeswoman confirmed that active search measures were underway, noting that officers had not yet located the animal. Thomas Schreder, the head of the Erding district hunting association, advised local residents to remain calm and leave the search to official emergency units. Schreder noted that several local hunters possess thermal-imaging drones and could assist law enforcement if requested by the authorities.

Please do not actively look for the animal and instead let the authorities do their work.

Safety guidance and warnings

The Erding district office disseminated warnings across several communication channels, including social media posts, urging residents to exercise caution throughout the area. Dog owners were instructed to keep their pets on leashes at all times, with Schreder noting that loose dogs could provoke an aggressive response from the predator. The administration also directed parents not to permit young children to play outside unsupervised in nearby residential areas. Officials advised people to avoid walking through the Notzinger Moos at night and asked anyone with information or fresh sightings to contact the Erding police station immediately by phone at 08122/968-0.

Animal profile and origin inquiry

Pumas are native to North and South America and have no natural habitat within Germany. According to wildlife data, adult specimens measure up to 1.95 meters in length, weigh between 48 and 72 kilograms depending on their sex, and carry coats ranging from yellowish-brown to reddish-brown or silver-grey. The origin of the suspected animal remains unknown, with local police and district officials stating there are no indications of an active circus operating in the area. While large felids typically avoid adult humans, wildlife experts noted that felines may become dangerous when facing extreme hunger, illness, injury, or perceived territorial threats.