Trap removed as the search continues for Knoxville tiger on the loose

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The search continues Friday afternoon for a tiger reportedly spotted in East Knox County late Wednesday night, according to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

The tiger was first spotted Wednesday night by a deputy in the Forks of the River Industrial Park.

Knoxville police dispatch said there was a reported sighting of the tiger around 7 a.m. Thursday near Thorngrove Pike in Knoxville. Crews were sent to the area to investigate. Overnight officials said they received multiple calls on possible sightings in the areas around John Sevier Highway near Thorngrove Pike and on Bales Lane.

As of Friday afternoon, officials with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said there have been no new sightings of the tiger.

TWRA officials said a trap baited with chickens that was set Thursday afternoon has been removed due to inactivity. TWRA said they are no longer actively searching for the tiger due to the lack of new sightings, but officers are on duty and will respond to any tiger sighting calls.

Zoo Knoxville officials told WVLT the zoo is not missing any tigers and all tigers at the zoo had been accounted for as of Thursday morning. Tiger Haven and Little Ponderosa Zoo also said all of their tigers are accounted for. TWRA said they are not aware of where the tiger came from.

The sheriff’s office said officials with animal control, KPD, Air Watch, TWRA and Tiger Haven, a big cat rescue in Roane County, are working to capture the tiger.

As of Friday afternoon, the sheriff’s office said it had not been captured and the search was being led by TWRA.

The sheriff’s office said call the sheriff’s office if you have any information or see the tiger at 911.

(Note: Tiger Haven is located in Roane County near the Loudon County line.)

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