Zoo animals roam in streets after deadly flood in Georgia

Animals have escaped from the zoo in Georgia after deadly flood devastation that destroyed their enclosures, prompting authorities to warn Tabilisi residents on Sunday, June 14. Pictures- AP and AFP

Animals have escaped from the zoo in Georgia after deadly flood devastation that destroyed their enclosures, prompting authorities to warn Tabilisi residents on Sunday, June 14. Pictures- AP and AFP

Police and soldiers were hunting down the animals, recapturing some and shooting others dead, while rescuers airlifted scores of people trapped by the floods.

Police and soldiers were hunting down the animals, recapturing some and shooting others dead, while rescuers airlifted scores of people trapped by the floods.

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili called on Tbilisi residents to stay indoors while the animals were still at large, describing the damage to the city's infrastructure as substantial after the River Vere burst its banks after hours of torrential rain.

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili called on Tbilisi residents to stay indoors while the animals were still at large, describing the damage to the city's infrastructure as substantial after the River Vere burst its banks after hours of torrential rain.

The government set up a hotline for residents to inform the emergency services if they spotted any of the predators.

The government set up a hotline for residents to inform the emergency services if they spotted any of the predators.

Several main roads were completely destroyed and small houses and cars were swept away by the torrents.

Several main roads were completely destroyed and small houses and cars were swept away by the torrents.

While half a dozen coffins in a city cemetery were washed out of the ground and lay on the mud.

While half a dozen coffins in a city cemetery were washed out of the ground and lay on the mud.