Duo pockets rooftop-wandering panther named Louise, describing it as their "large, affectionate infant" against the law
Black Panther on the Loose in Northern France: Louise's Dramatic Escape and Rescue
In September 2019, a playful black panther named Louise caused quite a stir in the small town of Armentieres, northern France, as she was spotted roaming nearby rooftops. The sighting of this wild creature, usually found in Africa, sent panic among the locals.
Authorities were quickly called to the scene, and a cordon was set up to secure the area. Police and rescuers worked together to calmly enter the building where Louise was found, having been domesticated by her owner and, despite appearances, not showing any signs of aggression, according to Kader Laghouati from the Animal Protection League in Lille.
Louise was eventually recaptured by sedating her with anesthetic darts. After her capture, she was taken to the Maubeuge Zoo, but a few days later, she was stolen once again. The stolen panther, now renamed Akilla, has found a new home at the Stichting Leeuw Big Cat Sanctuary in the Netherlands.
The previous owners of Akilla, a French couple, were illegally keeping Louise in their apartment. The man, 41 years old, was sentenced to 18 months in jail, suspended, and fined $17,000. His partner, also 41, received a four-month suspended sentence and a two-year animal possession ban.
The couple had purchased Louise for 2,500 euros from a traveling community. The authorities compared keeping Louise to species trafficking, with Graziella Dode, a lawyer for an animal rights group, stating that it was akin to such practices. Xavier Bacquet, representing another foundation, called the crime mistreatment, arguing that the animal's "physiological needs" could not be met in captivity.
Despite the harrowing events she went through, Akilla is now thriving at the sanctuary. Wendy Karsten, one of its caretakers, reports that Akilla is playful and interacts well with the neighboring panther through the fence. She also mentions that Akilla is doing well and is in good health.
In a past interview, the owner of Louise described her as being like a "big, affectionate baby" that wanted to be cuddled. However, it is clear that the best place for a black panther like Akilla is in a sanctuary where she can live out her days in a more natural environment.
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