Mysterious animal in the forest
A big cat in NRW? Here’s what climbers from Cologne should know
November 13, 2025 – 10:45Reading time: 2 minutes
A hunter apparently observed a big cat in the woods near Altenahr. Therefore, climbers from Cologne must comply with the rules of conduct when traveling in the region.
A hunter made a mysterious observation in the Rhineland-Pfalz on Tuesday: In the forest near Altenahr near the border with North Rhine-Westphalia, the hunter found an animal wandering in the bushes. The man filmed the scene and the footage sparked a lot of speculation. The animal was probably a big cat. The genus includes tigers, lions and leopards, among others – all animals that are not native to Germany.
Due to its proximity to North Rhine-Westphalia, the sighting also alerted people in North Rhine-Westphalia. For example, the town of Rheinbach in the Rhein-Sieg district has published recommendations for action from the municipal government of Altenahr. In the event of an encounter with a suspected big cat, people should keep their distance and under no circumstances feed or attract the attention of the animal. These sightings can also be reported to the police.
The area is also a popular hiking destination for people from around Bonn and Cologne. When sightseeing, hikers should be careful and keep their dogs on a leash.
“We take poachers’ reports seriously and will inform you transparently,” said Dominik Gieler (CDU), mayor of Altenahr. “We ask you to be more careful as a precaution when entering forest areas.” At the same time, Gieler emphasized that “there is no reason to panic.”
Meanwhile, animal protection organization Peta has offered a reward of 500 euros for information that can solve the case and help identify the big cat’s owner. Under certain circumstances and in compliance with strict regulations, individuals are also allowed to keep big cats in Germany. In light of the current case, PETA is calling for a general ban on keeping wild animals in private homes.
