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Residents of Black River, St Elizabeth, are being urged to stay on high alert as there is a wild animal on the loose.

Initially reported as a tiger cub, the animal escaped from custody during a major smuggling bust involving a vessel off Jamaica's south coast. However, the creature is an ocelot, a much smaller feline than a tiger.

"It's not a tiger," clarified Andrea Donaldson, senior manager at the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA). "Why that (the mix-up) occurred is because ocelots where they're coming from they call them tigers as nickname."

The baby ocelot, which broke free while authorities were processing the seizure in Black River, is a wild cat native to Central and South America that resembles a domestic kitten but is anything but tame. Authorities say the vessel intercepted by the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Coast Guard was attempting to smuggle contraband into the country. On board were four monkeys, 12 parrots, a quantity of marijuana, and the ocelot. The JDF said the animal "is now believed to be at large in the wider Black River area".

Now, a multi-agency manhunt is under way for the animal. The JDF, NEPA, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the Veterinary Services Department and other relevant state agencies are working together to locate the animal -- which is a month-and-a-half-old, and about the size of a large Pepsi bottle. It has a reddish-orange coat and black markings.

Donaldson explained that NEPA was only made aware of the cub's existence yesterday when contacted by the JCF. The animal's age and small size may make it appear harmless, especially to unsuspecting members of the public.

"It can be mistaken for a kitten because it has cat features and as a kitten, it does not pose much threat, but it may be more aggressive," Donaldson warned. Although young, the ocelot is still a wild predator -- and potentially dangerous.

"The public needs to be just cautious even though it's still a cub. We want persons to be on the alert. We don't want them to go 'Oh, it's a sweet kitten, let me keep it.' No!" she said.

"It could still attack and scrape because it will still have large claws. So it may not be big enough to bite off your hand but it could cause severe bites and scratches." NEPA is urging the public not to try to capture or care for the animal. Anyone who sees the cub is being asked to immediately contact the nearest police station or NEPA.