RESIDENTS IN ESSEX have been warned to stay indoors after a lion was reported to be on the loose in the St Oysth area last night.
News of the lion sighting appeared last night, and Sky News reports this morning that it still hasn’t been found.
Essex police say that a “large cat” that is believed to be a lion was spotted in fields off Earls Hall Drive just before 7pm last night.
They believe the reports to be genuine as they have been shown a photograph of the animal by a member of the public. They are working with experts from Colchester Zoo (which does not have any missing lions) on the case.
In an effort to track the lion, Essex police – including firearms officers – are in the St Oysth area, and a police helicopter and heat-seeking equipment are also being used.
Police are trying to discover where the lion may have come from.
One woman told Sky news that there was a circus in the Clacton area around a week ago, but the BBC reports that the circus said it did not have any lions, or indeed any animals missing.
One local reported hearing a “loud roar” last night at 10pm.
Anyone who sees the lion is urged to call 999.
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