CHAOS IN THE STREETS: Dozens of zoo animals run wild in the streets after devastating flood in Tbilisi, Georgia

Lions, bears, wolves, birds and a hippo were only some of the animals that escaped a zoo after a heavy flooding in Tbilisi, Georgia. The flooding completely destroyed the protective enclosures in the city's zoo. As a result, the capital of Georgia was placed on lock-down. The incident allowed for more than a dozen of dangerous and panic-stricken animals to escape, roam the streets and pose a threat to civilians.

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MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - On June 13, heavy rains and strong winds hit Tbilisi and turned a normally small stream into a dangerous, surging river. It is unclear how many animals remain on the loose.

It was reported that eight bears, six lions, six tigers and 20 wolves were among the animals who fled their enclosures. Unfortunately, six wolves were killed after they were discovered near a children's hospital. Locals have reportedly tried to save an escaped bear.

Tbilisi Zoo spokeswoman Mzia Sharashidze said that, "The search for animals continue, but a large part of the zoo is simply non-existent. It was turned into a hellish whirlpool."

"Some 20 wolves, eight lions, white tigers, tigers, jackals, jaguars have either been shot dead by Special Forces or are missing. Only three out of our 17 penguins were saved," she explained.

According to City mayor David Narmania, about eight civilians are known to have lost their lives after the flooding and that 10 others are still missing. Estimates reveal the floods have caused around $10 million worth of damage.

Several families are left without homes, water and electricity supply. "Dozens of families remain homeless as their houses were destroyed or damaged in the capital," according to Irakly Lekvinadze, the Vice mayor of Tbilisi Irakly Lekvinadze.

"The human losses that we have suffered are very hard to tolerate. I express my condolences to all the people who lost their relatives," stated Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili.

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