UPDATE: Wild cat caught in the northwest suburbs

caracal
Hoffman Estates Police are warning residents about a caracal (pictured above) that's on the loose. Photo credit Hoffman Estates Police Department

HOFFMAN ESTATES (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - After being on the loose for several days in the northwest suburbs, authorities have captured a large, wild cat.

The Hoffman Estates Police Department updated residents late Tuesday morning, saying the caracal, a medium-sized wild cat native to Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia, was located and caught by officers.

The cat was found unharmed,  hiding under a residential deck, police said. It will be transported to an exotic animal rescue center in southern Wisconsin.

The cat was first spotted a few days ago in the area of Della Drive and Hilldale Golf Course.

Police said it’s still unknown where the caracal, an international endangered species, came from.

WBBM's Mallory Vor Broker contributed to this report.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Hoffman Estates Police Department