Dunc Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 [h=1]Essex Police investigate 'lion' sighting near St Osyth[/h]Police in Essex are investigating reports that a lion has been spotted in a field near St Osyth. Residents have been advised to stay indoors after the sighting in fields off Earls Hall Drive at 19:00 BST. Essex police are working with experts from Colchester Zoo who believe the reports to be genuine after being shown a photograph by a member of the public. Local resident Che Kevlin told the BBC: "I heard a loud roar at 10pm. It sounded like the roar of a lion." Armed police have been drafted into the area and two police helicopters are searching the area where it was spotted. Essex police say about 25 officers are on the scene, including around a dozen specialist firearms officers, and experts from Colchester zoo are also on hand. A force spokesman said there had been no sightings of the lion reported to police in the last few hours but that the search would continue through the night. Police said all the animals at Colchester Zoo had been accounted for. The spokesman said a circus had been in the area, at Clacton Airfield, recently but added: "Officers have spoken to the circus and confirmed that they do not have an animal missing, nor do they have any lions." Caravan parksMr Kevlin said that shortly after hearing the roaring sound he got a text from a relative telling him a lion was on the loose in St Osyth. He said: "It was worrying as we had just been for a walk with the dog. We saw the police helicopter but thought it was just searching for a person. "It sounded like the roar of a lion. We have field and wood just behind our fence, so you never know," he added. There are several holiday caravan parks in and around St Osyth and Sean Williams, who is in a caravan, said he was worried about going out. 'Worried'Mr Williams, who said he heard about the lion on Twitter, said: "The children are with me and we are quite worried. We were out in fields in St Osyth but we're back in the caravan now. "We've only seen one police car bombing it down the road. We had a fishing trip planned for tomorrow but we're now debating whether to carry on." Dave Sparks, who runs the Red Lion pub in St Osyth, said it had been a "surreal" night and told ITV News: "You don't really expect to be told there's a lion wandering around the area. "No one really felt there was any immediate danger in the village - a couple of families with young children were a bit worried but after a while they were okay." Police are asking anyone who sees the animal to call 999. Sod that run like f............... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elyse Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 I find it incredibly freaky how the 'Circle of Life' song from Lion King started to play as I was reading this. (iTunes was on shuffle. LOL) Anywho, I hope they catch the lion. Hopefully they won't kill it like usual, but put it back in the zoo where it came from...or better yet, back in Africa!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingspanner Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 Big, straggly blonde hair, big teeth and scaring members of the public. Are you sure you saw a Lion.....could it not just have been Katie Price making her way home? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparks Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 They best not kill it! Sent from my GT-I9100 using Xparent Cyan Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyshqa Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 People are thinking this was a fake now and are saying it was probably a domestic cat or dog.....I've seen the photo - looks like a sodding lion to me! =O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Removed #5 Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 If this is a house cat ( or a dog <???> ) someone needs to have their eyes examined!! Lion sighting in Essex in a field behind Gill and Steve Atkin's caravan at Earl Drive Farm Photograph: Gill and Steve Atkin Okay, it's not the best photograph in the world - but that's no pussy cat!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosemary Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 I don't know ...... something about the head is wrong for a lion. It is not a female because of the mane, and the ears are too prominent for a male lion, unless it is a young male, but then the size is wrong ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparks Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 It's prob just a big teddy like last time when they thought a tiger got out lol Sent from my GT-I9100 using Xparent Cyan Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Povodny Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 Well the only thing on the menu in the English countryside is bunny fox an badger. Seeing as there've been no mentions of cows or sheep going missing. So it's going to get quite hungry fairly soon. Unless its a practical joke and someone planted a huge cuddly lion shaped toy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingspanner Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 Not sure if it's a hoax, more like a case of shear stupidity on the part of the witness who reported it. Just a couple of quotes from her: "It was one million per cent a lion. It was a tan colour with a big mane " "I'm convinced it looked like a female lion, definitely " I rest my case M'lud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valkyries Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 i think it's a joke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosemary Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 It was a tan colour with a big mane " "I'm convinced it looked like a female lion, definitely " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leyka&Diva Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 lol i think its a massive joke xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 I was interested when I first read the story... which soon vanished as I realised it was a hoax/joke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingspanner Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 I hope the thicko that reported it get's the bill for the wasted Police time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 maybe it was a dog dressed up as a lion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollys Dad Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 maybe it was a dog dressed up as a lion? Great pic - that is actually quite convincing, even at close range! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MollynDiesel Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 Found this picture quite funny even if it is rather simple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollys Dad Posted August 29, 2012 Report Share Posted August 29, 2012 There are lots of things that are 'not a lion'! But maybe some of these locals just don't get it? Thanks for posting it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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