Big Cat Hunt on in Essex. And BOY is is a....

[dwardo]

I wonder how long a lion could last n the wild here? I guess his hunting skills would be a little rusty to say the least.
On the other hand if he finds live stock their hunt avoidance skills are probably not upto much either.

 

[Conrad81]

There are several eye witnesses and they seem pretty certain what they saw. Will be interesting to see how this develops.

 

[Adze]

Check out the different reporting styles between C4, ITV and the Daily Wail... absolutely hilarious!

 

[HillBill]

I was expecting one of the links to contain the photo. Ah well

I wish they'd publish this photograph taken of it.

Hehe, any bushcrafters/members doing an overnighter down that way?

 

[Perrari]

Scary Stuff ! I am glad I dont live in the area.

 

[Robbi]

poor lion fancy being dumped in essex,has he no pride?

oh dear !

i'll get your coat !!

 

[Shewie]

I've merged the two threads and tidied up in case anyone was wondering

 

[vizsla]

That comment from the chap who saw it made me chuckle. "its a fxcking lion" very fitting

 

[Bushdoguk]

All the local private collections would have been checked out last night along with the local zoo.
As for the circus only haveing tigers well if it was theres they were raising to use in a new act they arnt going to admit its theres.
If it is a lion it will be shot on site by armed police as I have not heard of local vet or zoo workers with tranquilizers being deployed.

 

[Adze]

That comment from the chap who saw it made me chuckle. "its a fxcking lion" very fitting

The one which got me was "It was one million per cent a lion" - now that's a fxcking BIG lion! Like a normal lion, only ten thousand times the size!

 

[Adze]

All the local private collections would have been checked out last night along with the local zoo.
As for the circus only haveing tigers well if it was theres they were raising to use in a new act they arnt going to admit its theres.
If it is a lion it will be shot on site by armed police as I have not heard of local vet or zoo workers with tranquilizers being deployed.

Two police helicopters using heat-seeking equipment have been involved in the hunt for the animal, while zoo workers said to be armed with tranquilliser guns have also joined armed officers.

First link JD posted.

If they do decide to ask the police to shoot it, I hope they're using something with a bit more poke than the 9mm HK's they're usually seen with. Shoot a big cat with a 9mm and, unless you're unfeasibly lucky, all you're likely to do is make it a bit more dangerous and considerably more annoyed!

 

[Bushwhacker]

Essex? My money's on it being a snow leopard with a spray tan and hair extensions.

 

[Bushdoguk]

Most police are now armed with h&k g36 rifles I belive they are a 5.56 weapon system and they will more than likely have sniper rifles for hostage situations which will also be deployed.

 

[Lister]

All it wants to do it eat the cast of TOWIE, can't it just be left to do that in peace? I mean really!

 

[dwardo]

Didnt realise it was essex, isnt it usually cougars you need to be worried about there?

 

[bwildered]

Perhaps this has had a respray jobbie.

 

[Mesquite]

I wish they'd publish this photograph taken of it.

Hehe, any bushcrafters/members doing an overnighter down that way?

The picture has been published

However, reading the story it was supposed to have been taken at approximately 7:00pm... seems a bit dark for that time of day

 

[Robbi]

sure is a lion !

 

[palace]

First link JD posted.

If they do decide to ask the police to shoot it, I hope they're using something with a bit more poke than the 9mm HK's they're usually seen with. Shoot a big cat with a 9mm and, unless you're unfeasibly lucky, all you're likely to do is make it a bit more dangerous and considerably more annoyed!

Couldn't use my .308 (7.62) even with hollowpoint ammo; however several forces have access to .338 lapua a long range sniper round used by the military.

 

[santaman2000]

Most police are now armed with h&k g36 rifles I belive they are a 5.56 weapon system and they will more than likely have sniper rifles for hostage situations which will also be deployed.

Still not big enough.