Search for lion suspended over lack of evidence

The search for an African lion on the plains east of Colorado Springs has been called off.

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office suspended the search about 3 p.m. today, saying there isn't enough evidence to corroborate reports of an African lion roaming the area. Agencies involved in the search included the sheriff's office, Colorado Springs Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Division of Wildlife, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

A resident reportedly saw the animal around 8 a.m. chasing their dog in the area of Falcon Highway and Log Road, said sheriff's office spokeswoman Lt. Lari Sevene.

"They're saying he has a red mane and a big tail," Sevene said.

Earlier today, Michael Seraphin, spokesman for the Colorado Division of Wildlife, said photos taken by two residents and tracks found by DOW officers confirm the animal is an African lion and not a cougar.

The sightings were about five miles from Big Cats of Serenity Springs, a sanctuary in the area, but the operator, Nick Sculack, said none of the sanctuary's animals is missing.

"We counted four times and none are missing," said Sculack, adding the lion probably was being kept illegally as a pet.

Sculack had brought a tranquilizer gun in hopes of taking the animal alive.

The last sighting was about 10 a.m. near Coyote Lane. The Colorado Springs Police Department was sending its helicopter to assist in the search.

Reverse 911 calls have been used to warn residents in the area to remain indoors until the animal is captured.

As the search wore on into early afternoon, some residents were taking the danger seriously enough to have strapped on revolvers, while others searched on horseback with lassos at the ready. Sculack, after examining blurry photos of the animal, said the lion could turn out to be a large dog.