Those “Lions” Loose In Indiana Turned Out To Be Something Else

I’m sure that throughout human history, there have been plenty of people who looked at what they thought were two lions and thought, “Boy, I sure hope those are not two lions. They will probably eat me.”

Those people were probably disappointed. And eaten.

But fortunately, nobody in Indiana appears to have been eaten last week after reports of a lioness and her cub wandering around southern Madison County.

Because it turns out the lions may have been...wait for it...pigs.

white pig walking on grass field

Midwestern States Don't Get Reports Of Roving Man-Eaters Very Often

Last Thursday, a Madison County resident reported seeing what appeared to be a 300-pound lioness wearing a blue harness, accompanied by a smaller animal estimated to weigh between 100 and 150 pounds. The report was taken seriously enough to launch a four-hour search involving deputies from Madison and Hancock counties and Indiana State Police.

And these weren't exactly guys walking around yelling, “Here, kitty kitty.”

No, these were the pros who used ground units, physical evidence and thermal-imaging drones to search for the alleged big cats. There was even talk of bringing in experts from the Exotic Feline Rescue Center in Center Point to help capture the animals.

a plane flying over trees

Then Came The Plot Twist...

The thermal drones detected some large animals, and officers eventually discovered pigs along a tree line.

Rebecca Rizzo, head keeper at the Exotic Feline Rescue Center, said her crew was ready to mobilize when they got the call that the animals had been located.

But...they were pigs.

Now, before we officially declare the case closed with “Indiana: 0, Pigs: 1,” there is a small caveat. Authorities have not actually confirmed that the pigs were the animals the original caller saw. The sheriff's department says the lion sighting itself remains unconfirmed, and no law enforcement officer ever saw a lion.

Still, I choose to believe the pigs were responsible.

black pig lying on green grass during daytime

It's Hard To Blame The Original Witness Who Called In The Lion Report

A big pig standing in a field at a distance can have a surprisingly lion-ish silhouette, I guess. I've never been in that scenario.

Although if you're looking at a pig and thinking, “That's a 300-pound lioness wearing a blue harness,” maybe it's time to get a new pair of binoculars.

The important thing is that Indiana residents can apparently go back to worrying about the usual things.

Like coyotes.

And deer.

And pigs that apparently have a very convincing side hustle as African lions.