A prowling puma has sparked panic in a sleepy town.
The big cat was sighted entering a football pitch during an amateur match.
It forced the players and spectators to flee the ground in fear.
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A video shows the animal walking across the artificial turf after the players had run out.
CCTV cameras also filmed the puma prowling residential areas in the early morning.
The presence of the big cat has sparked panic in Chincha Alta in Ica Department, Peru, after it first appeared on 28 October.
Locals reported seeing the animal in the areas of Santa Rita, Condorillo, and Los Ciruelos.
Residents immediately informed the National Forestry and Wildlife Service (SERFOR) as they feared it could pose a danger to citizens and farm animals.
As of today (30 October), no attacks have been reported by the local community.
However, the authorities have not yet tracked down the puma, considered a protected species in Peru.
The rampant animal has been identified as a juvenile South American cougar (Puma concolor concolor), also known as an Andean puma.
The big cat, which appears in good health, is believed to have been displaced by wildfires in the surrounding mountain area.
A SERFOR team is based in the small town while the search continues, as reported by What’s The Jam.
SERFOR spokesperson Walter Silva said: “We recommend that the local community avoids approaching or trying to capture it.
“The best thing to do is to report it directly to the police, the municipal authorities, or SERFOR.”
Images of a dead puma began to circulate on social media amid claims that it had been shot by locals, but this was proved to be from a different incident.
Silva said: “Misinformation on social media is also a concern.
“We ask people to verify news sources and avoid spreading false information.”
He added: “Health centers in Chincha have confirmed that there is no record of anyone being attacked by this puma yet.”
The search continues.
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