Georgia floods: Hippo, bear found on streets as animals escape Tbilisi zoo

Tigers, lions, a hippopotamus and other animals have escaped from the zoo in Georgia’s capital after heavy flooding destroyed their enclosures, prompting authorities to warn residents in Tbilisi to say inside Sunday.

People follow a hippopotamus that has been shot with a tranquilizer dart after it escaped from a flooded zoo in Tbilisi, Georgia, Sunday (June 14). (Source: Photo by Associated Press)

People help a hippopotamus escape from a flooded zoo in Tbilisi, Georgia. (Source: Photo by Associated Press)

At least eight people have been killed in the disaster, including three zoo workers, and 10 are missing.

A bear tries to save itself from a flooded zoo area. (Source: Photo by Associated Press)

Some other animals also have been seized, but it remained unclear how many are on the loose.

A man tries to save a bird from a flooded zoo in Georgia. (Source: Photo by Associated Press)

The flooding also damaged dozens of houses.

A body of an animal lies near a flooded zoo. (Source: Photo by Associated Press)

Bears and wolves are also among the animals who fled from their enclosures amid the flooding from heavy rains and high winds.

The body of a bear lies at a flooded area. (Source: Photo by Associated Press)

Ducks try to save themselves at a flooded zoo area. (Source: Photo by Associated Press)

Heavy rains and wind hit Tbilisi during the night, turning a normally small stream that runs through the hilly city into a surging river.

A municipal worker sits near the body of a lion. (Source: Photo by Associated Press)

A wounded swan is seen at a flooded zoo area. (Source: Photo by Associated Press)