Friendly lion cub found wandering streets of Russian city

UFA, Russia, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- A friendly lion cub found wandering the streets of a Russian city and captured by a passerby turned out to be a young boy's escaped birthday present.

Residents of Ufa reported seeing the small lion wandering the streets recently and a man was able to get a hold of the animal, which was wearing a collar, and tie it to a fence while awaiting authorities.

The lion appeared friendly toward humans and did not seem bothered by onlookers stopping to take pictures with it.

The cub was taken to Park of Foresters in Ufa until it was claimed by Flur Mullagayanov, whose family lives near Ufa.

Mullagayanov said the lion was a birthday present for his young son, a second-grader, and escaped when he brought the feline to Ufa to visit a veterinarian and get its vaccinations.

He said he did not notice the lion, named Shere Khan, was not in the van until he had already arrived back at home.

The lion was returned to the family unharmed.