Law enforcement officials announced on Wednesday that they apprehended a man who was filmed throwing pills into the cages of lynxes and leopards at the Moscow Zoo.

Zoo director Svetlana Akulova released surveillance videos showing the man making throwing motions toward the enclosures on Tuesday. Subsequently, staff at the zoo retrieved a total of 37 pills from the site.

“This act was neither an accident nor a prank, but a premeditated and ruthless attempt on the lives of the animals we care for,” Akulova stated on Telegram.

Police spokesperson Irina Volk confirmed that a 43-year-old suspect was taken into custody in the Presnensky district of central Moscow, where the zoo is situated.

“Initial reports indicate that he threw pills containing valerian extract into the animal enclosures,” Volk explained. This herbal supplement, which is available over-the-counter, can produce stimulating effects on large cats in small quantities.

Volk mentioned that investigators are currently working to ascertain the man’s motivations prior to determining the appropriate charges.

The Kommersant business newspaper, citing anonymous sources, reported that the individual, identified as Emil Atsayev, is affiliated with a psychiatric clinic and has two prior felony convictions.

According to reports, Atsayev allegedly told authorities that he intended to “heal” and “revive” the animals by giving them the pills.

Officials plan to carry out a psychiatric evaluation and may enforce compulsory treatment, as reported by Kommersant.