ROYAL OAK, Mich. — Police in a Detroit suburb located a large African caracal that escaped from its owner, authorities said.

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The domesticated cat, named Bam Bam, was located in Royal Oak near a garage late Wednesday night, WDIV reported.

Bam Bam, along with another large cat, went missing from their owner’s home in Royal Oak early Wednesday, the television station reported. Officials from Royal Oak Schools said they were notified by police about the large cat, which had escaped from its cage, according to WJBK.

The owner used raw meat to lure one caracal back to the enclosure, the Detroit Free Press reported. Wednesday is at least the third time the cats have escaped from the owner’s home, the newspaper reported. The cats typically weigh around 50 pounds.

Royal Oak police Lt. Albert Carter told The Detroit News that the cats are classified in an animal category that is not regulated by Michigan state officials.

“They are very passive, nocturnal animals,” Carter told the newspaper, adding that they primarily prey on rodents and other small mammals.

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However, Scott Carter, of the Detroit Zoological Society, said small animals are at risk when a caracal is on the loose.

“Caracal is particularly dangerous, especially to people with small dogs or other cats,” Scott Carter, of the Detroit Zoological Society, told WYXZ-TV. They are capable of doing significant harm, especially to a child. They can certainly harm an adult if they feel threatened.”

Police were working to get Bam Bam back to its owner, WDIV reported.

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