Law enforcement agencies in central Indiana are on the lookout for what could be a lioness and her cub after a resident reported seeing the animals near the border of Madison and Hancock counties.

The Madison County Sheriff's Department said it received a call at 10 a.m. reporting two large exotic cats in the 10000 block of South County Road 50 West. The caller, a local resident, said he looked out his back window and saw what he believed to be a 300-pound lioness wearing a blue harness, heading southwest, with a smaller cub alongside her.

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Authorities have not been able to verify the sighting. After a four-hour search involving ground units and thermal drones, no officers have spotted the animals. The sheriff's department also noted that a drone operator had previously reported seeing the animals, but that tip has not been confirmed either.

The potential location of the animals would put them in southern Madison County or northern Hancock County. Deputies from both counties, along with Indiana State Police, are coordinating the search.

Residents in the area are advised to be cautious and report any sightings to the Hancock County Sheriff's Department or the Madison County Sheriff's Department. So far, no animal sanctuaries or private owners have reported missing lions, and the Madison County Sheriff's Department said it is not aware of any permits in the county that would allow someone to keep a lion.

This incident comes amid broader concerns about exotic animal ownership in Indiana. While the state has regulations, enforcement can be challenging, and cases like this highlight potential gaps. In a related matter, Indiana's execution secrecy laws have drawn legal challenges, though that is unrelated to wildlife.

Authorities are urging anyone who spots the animals not to approach them, as they are wild and potentially dangerous. The search is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Meanwhile, the state has seen other public safety issues, including a record surge in robocalls affecting Indiana residents, and recent felony hazing charges at Indiana University.