Lion on the loose in Essex

Nisha

Nisha

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Armed police are searching for what is believed to be a live Lion who was spotted earlier this evening in a field near Clacton, Essex. Staff from Colchester Zoo (who's lions are all accounted for!) have examined a photo taken by a member of the public and have determined that it could well be a true sighting, rather than the usual large dog that often turns out to be the culprit in these situations...
BBC News - Police investigate 'lion' spotted in a field in Essex
 
Nisha said:
Armed police are searching for what is believed to be a live Lion who was spotted earlier this evening in a field near Clacton, Essex. Staff from Colchester Zoo (who's lions are all accounted for!) have examined a photo taken by a member of the public and have determined that it could well be a true sighting, rather than the usual large dog that often turns out to be the culprit in these situations...
BBC News - Police investigate 'lion' spotted in a field in Essex
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Following this with much interest, would love to be involved in the search.
 
Some of the local press is reporting that the Great British Circus was nearby recently. Could this be the source fo the mystery beast? However, let us not forget that a year or so ago a tiger was spotted in Hampshire. Transpired it was just a stuffed toy, disappointingly.
 
I recommend the lion's Twitter feed. https://twitter.com/EssexLion. He is, apparently, wandering around Essex eating people, drinking lager, fighting, and getting tattooed.

My favourite posts so far: "I'm going to Lakeside for a Nando's and perhaps a young family" and "Leave him alone Simba, he ain't wurf it".
 
There has been a report of a roar being heard on the BBC article, but a surprise that no other updates have been forthcoming given they supposedly have the heli overhead.
 
Martin Lacey, 70 is reported saying that he wants to give up and is seeking a buyer for his stock. It is also seen through the internet that there has been some animal rights groups invovled in a clash when the GBC was touring, last seen in Essex. Some have said that these groups were trying to free the big cats, though not confirmed.
Dow you believe Martin would say and acknowledge that one of his stock is free or was let out by such groups? No...not likely, far too much at stake for Martin and the rest of the animal trainers!
 
bigcat speciali said:
Dow you believe Martin would say and acknowledge that one of his stock is free or was let out by such groups? No...not likely, far too much at stake for Martin and the rest of the animal trainers!
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What a stupid statement. Why would he not tell it as it is?

An audit will reveal very quickly whether or not he has all his cats. He hasn't had lions on his circus for several years.

Are you just trying to be contentious again?
 
Nisha said:
Staff from Colchester Zoo (who's lions are all accounted for!) have examined a photo taken by a member of the public and have determined that it could well be a true sighting, rather than the usual large dog that often turns out to be the culprit in these situations...
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has anyone seen the photo or can provide a link to it if it has been released? Quite often "experts" determine a photo as a genuine Big Cat when it is quite obviously not one at all. (Not saying that's the case here, just interested in seeing the photo).
 
Steve Robinson said:
What a stupid statement. Why would he not tell it as it is?

An audit will reveal very quickly whether or not he has all his cats. He hasn't had lions on his circus for several years.

Are you just trying to be contentious again?
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No, not being contentious. All you have to say is that you do or do not agree with what I said, instead of being abrasive and flippant.

I can only go by what I know, dealing with Martin and having been in his company while he transported the big cats that were in my charge. The reports at the time while this story has been unfolding has made numerous suggests that Martin and his GBC was on tour and on site. It is also clear that during this tour he and the circus has came under the watchful eyes of numerous animal rights groups, many have voiced concerns as well as it being noted that an attempt was made to release some of the animals including the big cats. Martin Lacey who has stated in Fox and Hound magazine that he want to end and sell up. I am putting forward a possible argument Steve, if you don't like it then all you have to do is say so but not in a flippant manner. If such a matter was to come to light, where such a exotic feline was found to be his, the outcome for the circus world is huge, even if these people were to abide by the laws. The animal lib groups have then got their point across and would have then had all circus animals, exotic or not, withdrwan from performing. That I feel is a possibility. So why is such a statement so contentious Steve?
 
You are confusing my crankiness with flippancy.

Read back through your silly statements and you may understand why I describe you as contentious - one of the nicer words out of all those that I could have used.

#1 You say - "Do you believe that Martin would say and acknowledge that one of his stock was free.." Stupid statement. Of course he would. He is a responsible and honourable man. He wouldn't just leave a lion wandering around.

#2 You say - " ... Martin was on tour and on site...". Stupid statement. He may be on tour but he hadn't been at Clacton for a fortnight prior to this "sighting". Hardly "on site".

#3 You say - "If such a matter were to come to light, where such a (sic) exotic feline was found to be his, the outcome for the circus world is huge, even if these people were to abide by the laws". More idiocy. Are you seriously saying that circus people don't abide by the laws?

That is why I describe you as being contentious.

I am not being flippant - I am annoyed at your stupidity and if you regard that as abrasiveness, too bad - you are probably right. Wear it.
 
According to the BBC newspage, the circus has confirmed it doesn't have lions.

'Officers have spoken to the circus and confirmed that they do not have an animal missing, nor do they have any lions.'

Does anyone know of any private collections near there? I find it funny how everyone's keeps saying about Colchester like it's the only possibility... Last time I went to Colchester they only had three (?) lions. How many do they have currently?
 
Steve Robinson said:
You are confusing my crankiness with flippancy.

Read back through your silly statements and you may understand why I describe you as contentious - one of the nicer words out of all those that I could have used.

#1 You say - "Do you believe that Martin would say and acknowledge that one of his stock was free.." Stupid statement. Of course he would. He is a responsible and honourable man. He wouldn't just leave a lion wandering around.

#2 You say - " ... Martin was on tour and on site...". Stupid statement. He may be on tour but he hadn't been at Clacton for a fortnight prior to this "sighting". Hardly "on site".

#3 You say - "If such a matter were to come to light, where such a (sic) exotic feline was found to be his, the outcome for the circus world is huge, even if these people were to abide by the laws". More idiocy. Are you seriously saying that circus people don't abide by the laws?

That is why I describe you as being contentious.

I am not being flippant - I am annoyed at your stupidity and if you regard that as abrasiveness, too bad - you are probably right. Wear it.
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Steve. Calm yourself down and take a chill-pill!
No I am not saying circus people do not abide by laws however, Martin does have a track record on certain issues. Try looking at the tour dates, you will see that the dates go just beyond the date as mentioned by the press. If you wish to continue your rant and sound off, then please do so somewhere else. Thank you...now calm down please!
 
Both the BBC and Sky have said: "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."
 
I'm happy to listen calmly to both sides of the argument, and Steve doesn't sound like he's ranting at all. You seem to be the one getting over excited.
 
I don't think anyone would be fool enough to release a lion, even in Essex.
I reckon that August Bank Holiday is the height of the 'silly season', so that I am even more sceptical of this story than I am of the other big cat sightings which pop up from time to time.
I think it's much more likely to be one of Prince Harry's friends in fancy dress trying to take the heat off HRH :rolleyes:

Alan
 
Saw the couple who spotted it on Sky news earlier, not 100% convinced but could not see why they would have made it up, but again not sure why the stood and watched it for half an hour either!! Even had time to go back to their house for binoculars and a camera and to get other witnesses?

What happened to blind panic!! I think I would be running screaming down the road not 'We went to get someone from a caravan so they could convince the police on the phone that it was a lion'

How far can a lion travel, seeing they apparently sleep for 20hrs a day not as far as my house :rolleyes:

Loved the lion madness on twitter last night :D
 
Thats an advantage of living up North
Too cold for wild lions up here.


[I wonder how many Essex boys have those giant dogs that look like a lion?]
 
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