Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park Zoo closed its doors noon Monday so zookeepers could investigate reports they might have one extra-big cat on the prowl.

Zoo officials received reports Sunday night of a large cat seen near the south perimeter of the zoo.

Animal tracks, perhaps those of a cougar or lynx, were found near one of the zoo's perimeter fences, and there is concern the animal may have jumped the fence and entered the zoo.

"If an animal came in from the outside, we just want to determine what it is," said zoo curator Bob Wrigley.

"I see tracks approaching the fence, walking along the fence a bit — probably eyeing the white-tailed deer that are inside the zoo — and then I can see tracks leaving. So we don't believe it's in, but we are going to check."

Cougars do live in the wild in Manitoba, but this is the first time the zoo has been faced with this type of situation, Wrigley said.

"If it were a cougar, it likely would just be passing through here because this is the breeding season, and males are looking for females," he said. "With the deer around the forest, that could have potentially attracted one."

Zoo personnel and parks police conducted night patrols through the park and checked animal enclosures. All of the zoo's cougars have been accounted for, and no sign of any disturbance was found.

The animal is more likely a lynx than a cougar, Wrigley said, noting that wild lynx have been spotted on three recent occasions. Lynx are less likely to approach a human than a cougar might be, he said.

If anyone sees a wild cat of any type, they should back away slowly and try to get inside a building or car, then call 911, officials advised.

Assiniboine Park, located just west of downtown Winnipeg, includes a zoo, conservatory, English gardens, sculpture garden, restaurants and other attractions, as well as more than 160 hectares of forest and meadow.

The zoo is expected to reopen Tuesday morning as usual.