The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office said a Bengal tiger escaped from a zoo in Reynosa near the banks of the Rio Grande. Banu R/Getty Images

A Bengal tiger escaped from its enclosure at the Quinta La Fauna zoo in Reynosa, Mexico, located near the Rio Grande, prompting Texas officials to raise warnings. The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has urged residents to stay cautious as authorities on both sides of the border search for the big cat. According to a report from CBS 4 News, the tiger escaped along the banks of the Rio Grande on Wednesday.

“We have not been called to assist Reynosa, but we have advised our deputies to remain vigilant,” stated Lt. Enrique Longoria with the HCSO. As of Wednesday, zoo staff discovered the tiger’s absence around 8:30 a.m., with its enclosure’s mesh destroyed. The zoo has since been closed until further notice.

In a public announcement, an animal welfare center in Reynosa also advised local residents, especially in the western parts of the city, to avoid the area while the search continues.

Bengal tigers, native to eastern and southern Asia, are the most common type of tiger but remain endangered due to poaching and habitat loss. These tigers can grow up to 10 feet in length and weigh as much as 500 pounds, according to National Geographic.

This is not the first time Texas residents have been concerned about a tiger on the loose. Earlier in 2021, a Bengal tiger named India was found wandering in a Houston neighborhood. After being safely captured, India was relocated to a sanctuary but sadly died in December 2023.