Mexican authorities recaptured three circus tigers who had escaped their trailer when it was involved in an accident last week.

State police and circus workers fanned out throughout a mountainous region of Michoacan searching for the three cats as local residents were put on alert.

One tiger was quickly caught, just hours after the escape. The other two were recaptured the following day.

Once the animals were safely in their cages, authorities said they were opening an investigation.

Mexico has a history of escaped animals. During 2009, tigers, an elephant, a lion, buffalo and camels escaped in various parts of the country, causing panic among local residents.

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