Zoo animals are running wild on the streets of Tbilisi after devastating floods hit the Georgian capital on Sunday, leaving at least 12 people dead.
Local residents have been faced with scenes that look like they’re straight out of Jumanji, like this Hippopotamus walking casually past a Swatch shop.
The floods were caused by recent heavy rains that led the Vere river, which runs through Tbilisi, to overflow.
Lions, tigers, zebras, an elephant, a jaguar and a rhinoceros are among the animals that escaped from Tbilisi Zoo.
The zoo has been almost completely damaged by the floods, according to its director Zura Gurielidze. While several animals are still at large, many drowned or have been shot dead.
A hyena reportedly attempted to attack a staff member of Tbilisi State University, who locked himself inside a shed until the animal was shot dead.
The Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili urged residents to stay indoors while the search for the animals continues. “All relevant services have been mobilized and everything is being done as quickly as possible to return the runaway animals,” he posted on his website.
Footage shows many dangerous animals on the loose, such as this small bear climbing an air conditioning unit.
A large cat was also spotted roaming the streets.
A pair of penguins were filmed swimming through muddy flood waters.
This hippopotamus, which had been shot with a tranquilizer dart, was led to safety.
One of the biggest tragedies for the zoo is the death of Shumba, a rare white lion that had become one of the zoo’s main attractions after striking a “friendship” with a dog, after the lion’s mother stopped caring for him early in his life.
Watch footage of the escaped animals of Tbilisi Zoo below:
“It’s an unbelievable tragedy,” Gurielidze said. We’re sincerely hoping that the animals are all captured and brought to safety.
Stay updated on the status of the animals via Tblisi Zoo’s Facebook page.