Be on the lookout: Lioness and large cub reported roaming in Indiana - USA Today

Authorities in Indiana are warning residents to be vigilant after a person reported spotting a several-hundred-pound lioness and a large cub roaming in one central county.

According to the Madison County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded at 10 a.m. ET to a report of "two large, exotic felines" roaming near South County Road 50 West. The location is about 45 miles northeast of Indianapolis.

"A local resident reported observing what appeared to be a 300-pound lioness wearing a blue harness alongside a smaller cub estimated at 100 to 150 pounds," the agency posted on Facebook that same day at 4 p.m. ET.

The resident told authorities the large cats were traveling southwest before they lost sight of them.

Deputies, with assistance from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police, conducted "an extensive four-hour search" of the area, "tracked physical evidence" and used thermal-imaging drone technology, the sheriff's office said, but found no evidence of either animal.

The Indianapolis Zoo confirmed all its lions were accounted for to the Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Under federal law dubbed the Big Cat Public Safety Act, it is illegal to keep a lion as a pet.

"While law enforcement has concluded the active search, residents in the area are encouraged to remain attentive and report any unusual animal sightings to local authorities immediately," the sheriff's office wrote in its post.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.