The head of the Georgian Orthodox Church is blaming the country's former communist rulers for the disastrous floods that left at least a dozen people dead and set loose some zoo animals in the Georgian capital on Sunday.
Severe flooding in the city of 1.1 million people caused a big-game hunt for lions, tigers, a hippopotamus, and other dangerous beasts that escaped from Tbilisi's ravaged zoo after the deluge destroyed their enclosures.
Patriarch Ilia II, leader of the Georgian Orthodox Church, was quoted by a news agency as saying during a Mass on Sunday that former Communist rulers carry the heavy load of responsibility for the disaster.
"When Communists came to us in this country, they ordered that all crosses and bells of the churches be melted down and the money used to build the zoo," he said.
"The sin will not go without punishment. I am very sorry that Georgians fell so that a zoo was built at the expense of destroyed churches."
Hundreds of homes in the former Soviet republic were destroyed or damaged by the huge torrent caused by the heavy rain. Two dozen others were missing aside from those killed. There were no reports that any of the dead were killed by zoo animals.
"The daytime wasn't bad," said resident Khariton Gabashvili, "but tonight everyone has to be very careful because all the beasts haven't been captured. They haven't been fed, and in their hungry state they might attack people."
A hippopotamus, found in a flooded square, was tranquillised with a dart. Other animals were not so lucky; they were hunted down and killed.
The carcasses of a lion, a boar and a tiger were seen. According to zoo authorities, six wolves were also dead.
Some animals may have escaped to any part of the capital, including the forests on the steep hills in the city's heart.
"I feel frenzied. The youngsters can't go out and walk around. I sat on the balcony with them and played games, so they could breathe some fresh air," said Khatuna Bolkvadze, a mother of two who lives near the zoo.
Authorities have been accused by some officials of using unnecessary force against the zoo animals.
A young white lion named Shumba, one of the zoo's most beloved attractions, had been found shot in the head.
"Our Shumba is no more," lamented zoo director Zurab Gurielidze. "It's simply possible that someone exceeded his authority."
