Residents of a city in western Japan have been cautioned to steer clear of a cat after it accidentally tumbled into a tank containing poisonous chemicals.
The alert was issued following the discovery of yellow paw prints leading away from the chemical container by a factory worker.
Subsequent review of security footage revealed the cat darting away, leaving behind a trail of paw prints.
Authorities in Fukuyama have urged the public to refrain from approaching the cat and to promptly report any sightings to the police.
It is suspected that the curious feline ventured into a vat of hexavalent chromium, a highly acidic and carcinogenic chemical with hues of orange and brown.
According to reports from news website Asahi, a staff member stumbled upon the paw marks upon arriving for work at the Nomura Plating Fukuyama Factory yesterday.
Fukuyama city’s environmental team cautioned against touching “a cat that appears abnormal,” while also acknowledging the possibility that the animal may have perished due to the incident.
The factory’s owning company disclosed that although the tank was covered with a sheet, a portion of it had apparently been overturned.
As per the AFP news agency, a spokesperson for the company stated, “The incident alerted us to the necessity of implementing measures to prevent small animals like cats from sneaking in, which was something we had never considered before.”
Hexavalent chromium exposure can lead to skin irritation, respiratory issues, and even blindness, necessitating staff to wear protective masks and rubber gloves when working near the substance.
Authorities have confirmed that as of Tuesday, there have been no reported sightings of the cat.