“Lions,tigers and bears oh my”…. : By JENNIFER NEWTON FOR MAILONLINE

“Lions,tigers and bears oh my”…. : By JENNIFER NEWTON FOR MAILONLINE

Apocalyptic scenes in Georgia as lions, bears, wolves and a hippo are among dozens of animals on the loose in the streets of Tbilisi as church leaders blame catastrophe on decision to melt down monastery's bells

These were the apocalyptic scenes in Tblisi today where lions, bears, wolves and a hippo were among dozens of animals on the loose following heavy flooding - which church leaders say is a punishment from God for melting down the monastery's bells.
The capital of Georgia has been placed on lock-down after the flooding destroyed enclosures at the city's zoo - allowing a host of dangerous and scared animals to escape and roam the streets.
The head of the Georgian Orthodox Church blamed the floods on the 'sin' of Communists who he said built the zoo using money raised from destroying churches and melting down their bells.

Residents in Tbilisi have been warned to stay indoors after more than 30 of the zoo's residents broke out during heavy rain and wind.
The flash floods have already killed up to 12 people including three workers who were employed at Tbilisi Zoo.
The zoo said one of the dead was Guliko Chitadze, a zookeeper who lost an arm in an attack by a tiger last month. The husband of zookeeper Ms Chitadze also died in the flooding.

Some of the animals have been seized but it is unclear how many are still on the loose.
Eight bears and 20 wolves are also among the animals who fled from their enclosures as well as six tigers and six lions.
It has also been reported that six wolves were killed after they were found near to a children's hospital and a video showed locals trying to save an escaped bear.                                                                                                  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3123378/A-city-lockdown-Tigers-lions-bears-wolves-hippo-loose-Georgia-s-capital-Tbilisi-freak-flood-killed-eight-leaves-dozens-dangerous-zoo-animals-roaming-city-s-streets.html