Fire fighters in Armentières, northern France, were notified of a large feline prowling along the gutter of a three storey house on Wednesday evening.
In images released by the emergency services on social media, the big cat in question, a black panther, can be seen ambling along the side of the roof, pausing to watch passing trains, gaze inside the top floor windows, and eyeball a nearby cat on the pavement.
After police set up a security cordon to prevent the animal from jumping, fire fighters were able to trap the panther when it ventured inside a nearby house.
Accompanied by a police officer and an agent of the National Office for Hunting and Wildlife (ONCFS), a firefighting veterinarian was able to tranquillise the panther with a hypodermic rifle. No one was hurt in the incident.
Once caught, the panther was passed into the care of the Animal Protection League (LPA).
Its presence in Armentières remains a mystery at this stage.
