The hunt for British Big Cats attracts far more newspaper-column inches than any other cryptozoological subject. There are so many of them now that we feel that they should be archived by us in some way, so we should have a go at publishing a regular round-up of the stories as they come in.It takes a long time to do and is a fairly tedious task so I am not promising that they will be done each day, but I will do them as regularly as I can. JD
And we start off in Gloucestershire, which has been one of the hotspots for British Big Cat activity this year.
Driver swerves to avoid big black cat 'Beast' of Cleeve Hill
This is Gloucestershire
The 30-year-old is convinced he saw the mysterious big cat, believed to be stalking the county, looming large in his headlights as he made his way home in the early hours. . Big Cat report: Kieran Bourne said he saw a large black cat, like the one ...
This is Gloucestershire
The 30-year-old is convinced he saw the mysterious big cat, believed to be stalking the county, looming large in his headlights as he made his way home in the early hours. . Big Cat report: Kieran Bourne said he saw a large black cat, like the one ...
Daily Mail
Big cat tracker Frank Tunbridge believes this image gives further credence to his belief that the animals roam Britain - after a lion was allegedly seen by holidaymakers at a caravan park near Clacton in Essex. Following reports of a wild animal on the ...
Big cat tracker Frank Tunbridge believes this image gives further credence to his belief that the animals roam Britain - after a lion was allegedly seen by holidaymakers at a caravan park near Clacton in Essex. Following reports of a wild animal on the ...
Is this the beast of Woodchester - footage captures what appears to be a big ...
Stroud News and Journal
NEW footage of what could be a jet-black big cat skulking through woodland in Nailsworth has fuelled fresh fears a predatory feline remains at large in the Five Valleys. The image was taken using a trip camera and big cat expert Frank Tunbridge ...
Stroud News and Journal
NEW footage of what could be a jet-black big cat skulking through woodland in Nailsworth has fuelled fresh fears a predatory feline remains at large in the Five Valleys. The image was taken using a trip camera and big cat expert Frank Tunbridge ...
Spotted: 'big cat' in Gloucestershire
ITV News
There were armed police, there were helicopters, but this was not a man-hunt, it was a lion hunt.. in rural Essex. One, which was quickly stood down when it turned out to be a large moggy which had caused all the fuss. But claims that big cats roam the ...
ITV News
There were armed police, there were helicopters, but this was not a man-hunt, it was a lion hunt.. in rural Essex. One, which was quickly stood down when it turned out to be a large moggy which had caused all the fuss. But claims that big cats roam the ...
Big cat sightings in Gloucestershire in 2012
This is Gloucestershire
In May, mum-of-two Julie Marlow reported seeing a dark fawn coloured big cat in a field from her bedroom window in Podsmead. In April, Keith Baker, of Winchcombe, said he had seen a big cat near the town "at least 10 times". In March, terrified dog ...
This is Gloucestershire
In May, mum-of-two Julie Marlow reported seeing a dark fawn coloured big cat in a field from her bedroom window in Podsmead. In April, Keith Baker, of Winchcombe, said he had seen a big cat near the town "at least 10 times". In March, terrified dog ...
| Readers pounce on big cat picture This is Gloucestershire Some questioned the scale of the animal which set off a trip camera in February, but county big cat tracker Frank Tunbridge has visited the site and used the wooden steps, bench and a picture of a Roe deer taken at the same site to scale the |
"I'm from Essex, in case you couldn't tell. My given name is Dickie, I come from Billericay, and I'm doing rather well'
The most amusing big cat related story of recent days is the saga of the 'lion' in Essex, which turned out to be nothing of the sort. Check out these accounts...
Research by university on 'silly season' origins
BBC News
"Lion on the loose" and "Big cat still out there" are just some headlines which splashed across the front page of newspapers following the sighting of a mystery cat in Essex. However, media stories like this are not that unusual for this time of year ...
BBC News
"Lion on the loose" and "Big cat still out there" are just some headlines which splashed across the front page of newspapers following the sighting of a mystery cat in Essex. However, media stories like this are not that unusual for this time of year ...
Essex lion hunt called off as police search finds no evidence of big cat
The Independent
Officers have spent almost 24 hours combing the countryside around Clacton-on-Sea after a group of residents yesterday claimed to have seen the king of the jungle near Earls Hall Drive in St Osyth. But after search teams found no evidence of the big ...
The Independent
Officers have spent almost 24 hours combing the countryside around Clacton-on-Sea after a group of residents yesterday claimed to have seen the king of the jungle near Earls Hall Drive in St Osyth. But after search teams found no evidence of the big ...
Big Cat Sightings: From The Beast Of Bodmin To Coulport Cougar, Five Other ...
Huffington Post UK
Thermal imaging devices were deployed on Monday to find the predator and helicopters whirred over the countryside, while reports also emerged of a big cat sighting in the Cotswolds. The search for the Essex lion has now been called off, but it's not ...
Huffington Post UK
Thermal imaging devices were deployed on Monday to find the predator and helicopters whirred over the countryside, while reports also emerged of a big cat sighting in the Cotswolds. The search for the Essex lion has now been called off, but it's not ...
Lion in Essex: Other big cat sightings in the UK
WalesOnline
THE sighting of a lion in St Osyth is by no means the first time a big cat has been reportedly seen in the wild. There have been a flurry of recorded sightings after the 1976 Dangerous Wild Animals Act was passed, making it illegal to keep untamed pets.
WalesOnline
THE sighting of a lion in St Osyth is by no means the first time a big cat has been reportedly seen in the wild. There have been a flurry of recorded sightings after the 1976 Dangerous Wild Animals Act was passed, making it illegal to keep untamed pets.
Essex Lion Couple Warn 'Whatever It Is, It's Still Out There' (PHOTO)
Huffington Post UK
Mrs Atkin told BBC Essex: "The Mirror [newspaper] has made a bit of a farce of it this morning, saying it was a cat called Tom, but no, I don't think it was a domestic cat.” ... It was a tan colour with a big mane, it was fully grown, it was definitely ...
See all stories on this topic »
Huffington Post UK
Mrs Atkin told BBC Essex: "The Mirror [newspaper] has made a bit of a farce of it this morning, saying it was a cat called Tom, but no, I don't think it was a domestic cat.” ... It was a tan colour with a big mane, it was fully grown, it was definitely ...
See all stories on this topic »
What lion? I'm just a cat called Teddy
Gazette
THE big cat that sparked a police hunt in St Osyth was exactly that....a big cat. Ginny Murphy believes her pet, a large ginger Maine Coon cat called Ted, was the “lion” holidaymakers reported seeing. She said Ted, who is 25ins long and often hunts ...
Gazette
THE big cat that sparked a police hunt in St Osyth was exactly that....a big cat. Ginny Murphy believes her pet, a large ginger Maine Coon cat called Ted, was the “lion” holidaymakers reported seeing. She said Ted, who is 25ins long and often hunts ...
Essex lion 'definitely still out there, not a cat called Tom', says eyewitness
Metro
Police yesterday called off a search after finding no trace of the big cat - despite utilising 25 officers, including those with firearms; two helicopters, one with thermal imaging equipment; and Colchester Zoo experts with tranquilisers. Essex police ...
Metro
Police yesterday called off a search after finding no trace of the big cat - despite utilising 25 officers, including those with firearms; two helicopters, one with thermal imaging equipment; and Colchester Zoo experts with tranquilisers. Essex police ...
Essex 'lion' is my cat, says Maine Coon owner
BBC News
Police have advised people to get back to normal after the hunt for the lion was called off. Two police helicopters were scrambled over St Osyth over the weekend but no trace of a big cat was found. Maine Coons, or American Longhairs, are much larger ...
BBC News
Police have advised people to get back to normal after the hunt for the lion was called off. Two police helicopters were scrambled over St Osyth over the weekend but no trace of a big cat was found. Maine Coons, or American Longhairs, are much larger ...
UK's Loose Lion Really a Cat Named 'Teddy Bear?'
Newser
Maine Coon cats are probably the largest cat or at least as large as a Norwegian Forest Cat but a lion, c'mon. How many people in Essex have seen lions anyway. I think that they would have noticed some missing pets or children by now had it been a lion.
Newser
Maine Coon cats are probably the largest cat or at least as large as a Norwegian Forest Cat but a lion, c'mon. How many people in Essex have seen lions anyway. I think that they would have noticed some missing pets or children by now had it been a lion.
wild beast more of a pussy cat
Sydney Morning Herald
The big cat hunt had developed into a circus. The man from the Mirror tabloid was dressed up in a safari outfit and wielded a tin of cat food. Online the public embraced the classic bank holiday story. Twitter accounts were set up purporting to ...
Sydney Morning Herald
The big cat hunt had developed into a circus. The man from the Mirror tabloid was dressed up in a safari outfit and wielded a tin of cat food. Online the public embraced the classic bank holiday story. Twitter accounts were set up purporting to ...
Lion on the loose! Police hunt for mystery big cat in Essex
FRANCE 24
Police said Monday that they've found no evidence to support locals' claims that they'd spotted a big cat prowling the countryside near the idyllic village of St. Osyth, in the southeastern English county of Essex. Sunday's reported sightings alarmed ...
FRANCE 24
Police said Monday that they've found no evidence to support locals' claims that they'd spotted a big cat prowling the countryside near the idyllic village of St. Osyth, in the southeastern English county of Essex. Sunday's reported sightings alarmed ...
'Lion' In Essex: Police Call Off Search For Big Cat
Huffington Post UK
After spending almost 24 hours looking for sightings of the cat near Clacton-on-Sea, police said on Monday they had found no evidence of the big cat, the force this afternoon decided to stop looking. Essex Police had enlisted the help of experts from ...
Huffington Post UK
After spending almost 24 hours looking for sightings of the cat near Clacton-on-Sea, police said on Monday they had found no evidence of the big cat, the force this afternoon decided to stop looking. Essex Police had enlisted the help of experts from ...
British police call off search for supposed lion
Salt Lake Tribune
The creature spotted Sunday night may have been a large domestic cat or a wildcat, she added. So does that mean there never was any lion? The official demurred, noting that the people interviewed by police were convinced they'd spotted a lion. That ...
Salt Lake Tribune
The creature spotted Sunday night may have been a large domestic cat or a wildcat, she added. So does that mean there never was any lion? The official demurred, noting that the people interviewed by police were convinced they'd spotted a lion. That ...
Was Essex 'Lion' A Pet Cat Called Teddy Bear?
Orange UK News
Now it appears the giant man-eater was no more than a large domestic cat, with amused locals already compiling a list of possible suspects. In the frame is the innocuous-sounding Teddy Bear, a sandy-coloured three-year-old Maine Coon. He often stalks ...
Orange UK News
Now it appears the giant man-eater was no more than a large domestic cat, with amused locals already compiling a list of possible suspects. In the frame is the innocuous-sounding Teddy Bear, a sandy-coloured three-year-old Maine Coon. He often stalks ...
Couple who claim to have seen the Essex lion insist the beast is still at large
The Independent
Gill and Steve Atkin, who are holidaying at a caravan park near the Essex resort, rejected newspaper claims that they had seen a large domestic cat called Teddy Bear belonging to a local woman. “Whatever it was, it's definitely still out there,” said ...
The Independent
Gill and Steve Atkin, who are holidaying at a caravan park near the Essex resort, rejected newspaper claims that they had seen a large domestic cat called Teddy Bear belonging to a local woman. “Whatever it was, it's definitely still out there,” said ...
British police call off hunt for Essex 'lion,' probably just a large house cat
GlobalPost (blog)
Police in Essex county, near London, had warned residents to stay indoors after receiving reports of a lion in a field in the village of St. Osyth. But they wrapped up the lion hunt today after finding no trace of a big cat — except, possibly, a fat ...
GlobalPost (blog)
Police in Essex county, near London, had warned residents to stay indoors after receiving reports of a lion in a field in the village of St. Osyth. But they wrapped up the lion hunt today after finding no trace of a big cat — except, possibly, a fat ...
Essex 'lion' joins list of phantom British beasts
The Guardian
The Beast of Bodmin is still be the most famous 'big cat' in British history. After years of reported sightings – and the killing of livestock on Cornish moorland – it was declared a phantom in 1995 after an investigation by the Ministry of Agriculture ...
The Guardian
The Beast of Bodmin is still be the most famous 'big cat' in British history. After years of reported sightings – and the killing of livestock on Cornish moorland – it was declared a phantom in 1995 after an investigation by the Ministry of Agriculture ...
Essex Lion Was Just A Big Cat, Says Police
The Inquisitr
Officials in Great Britain spent the last 24-hours searching for a lion that was spotted in a field near St Osyth. Helicopters, animal experts, and marksmen searched the area for the lion but didn't find any traces of a big cat. Today, the search for ...
The Inquisitr
Officials in Great Britain spent the last 24-hours searching for a lion that was spotted in a field near St Osyth. Helicopters, animal experts, and marksmen searched the area for the lion but didn't find any traces of a big cat. Today, the search for ...
'Massive Lioness' Hunted In Essex Countryside
Sky News
Police urged residents in the village, near Clacton, to remain inside their homes as the search for the big cat continued. David and Susan Wright say they photographed the lioness from their back garden after spotting it in the field. Mrs Wright told ...
Sky News
Police urged residents in the village, near Clacton, to remain inside their homes as the search for the big cat continued. David and Susan Wright say they photographed the lioness from their back garden after spotting it in the field. Mrs Wright told ...
Police have called off a search for a lion reportedly on the loose in Essex.
Key 103 Manchester
Police urged residents in the village to remain inside their homes as the search for the big cat continued. But on Monday an Essex Police spokesman said: "We believe what was seen on Sunday evening was either a large domestic cat or a wildcat ...
Key 103 Manchester
Police urged residents in the village to remain inside their homes as the search for the big cat continued. But on Monday an Essex Police spokesman said: "We believe what was seen on Sunday evening was either a large domestic cat or a wildcat ...
Posted On Monday, August 27, 2012 at 10:11:26 PM
Bangalore Mirror
London: Police in Britain have deployed firearms officers, helicopters, and tranquilliser-armed experts from the local zoo in a hunt for a lion, following reports of a big
Bangalore Mirror
London: Police in Britain have deployed firearms officers, helicopters, and tranquilliser-armed experts from the local zoo in a hunt for a lion, following reports of a big
CNN
(CNN) -- The search for a lion in Essex, near London, has been called off -- even as the big cat's fame grows on Twitter. According to a police spokesman, the sighting of a lion Sunday night was most likely a "large domestic cat or a wildcat." The ...
Search for Essex lion called off
The Press Association
Police have called off a widespread search for a lion reportedly on the loose and suggested the animal was more likely a large domestic cat or wildcat. Officers
The Press Association
Police have called off a widespread search for a lion reportedly on the loose and suggested the animal was more likely a large domestic cat or wildcat. Officers
British police call off search for 'lion'
Herald Sun
Police in the county of Essex, eastern England, said in a statement they believed the animal seen sitting in grassland in the village of St Osyth on Sunday was "either a large domestic cat or wild cat". The statement said officers ended the search at ...
Herald Sun
Police in the county of Essex, eastern England, said in a statement they believed the animal seen sitting in grassland in the village of St Osyth on Sunday was "either a large domestic cat or wild cat". The statement said officers ended the search at ...
Were they lyin'? Essex lion hunt called off
New Zealand Herald
Essex police advised people in the village, a popular seaside summer destination, to stay indoors, while Colchester Zoo experts were shown a photograph taken by a member of the public and believed the loose big cat was a lion. However at 2pm Monday ...
New Zealand Herald
Essex police advised people in the village, a popular seaside summer destination, to stay indoors, while Colchester Zoo experts were shown a photograph taken by a member of the public and believed the loose big cat was a lion. However at 2pm Monday ...
| Essex lion 'probably big pet cat' U.TV With police confirming some of the big cat pictures circulating on Twitter were fakes and the hunt called off, the mystery over exactly what - if anything - the holidaymakers saw still remains. There is a lion on the loose in Essex as if we need any ...
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This is Grimsby
But after search teams found no evidence of the big cat, the force decided to stop looking, suggesting the sighting was more likely to be a large domestic cat or wildcat. The hunt got under way after holidaymakers contacted the police to say they had ...
But after search teams found no evidence of the big cat, the force decided to stop looking, suggesting the sighting was more likely to be a large domestic cat or wildcat. The hunt got under way after holidaymakers contacted the police to say they had ...
Essex Lion Search: British Police Call Off Hunt For Supposed Cat On The Loose
Huffington Post
The best-known mystery big cat in Britain was the "Beast of Bodmin," a panther that was allegedly spotted so many times that it prompted a government probe into the matter. The 1995 investigation concluded there was no evidence of exotic large cats ...
Huffington Post
The best-known mystery big cat in Britain was the "Beast of Bodmin," a panther that was allegedly spotted so many times that it prompted a government probe into the matter. The 1995 investigation concluded there was no evidence of exotic large cats ...
Big cat ... Teddy Bear
The Sun
Like a lion, but tamer. Teddy Bear. Big cat ... Teddy Bear. Lee Thompson. Published: 6 hrs ago. THIS is the pet moggie that sparked the lion frenzy in Essex. Teddy Bear, three — a 3ft long American Longhair breed — was mistaken for a lion by ...
The Sun
Like a lion, but tamer. Teddy Bear. Big cat ... Teddy Bear. Lee Thompson. Published: 6 hrs ago. THIS is the pet moggie that sparked the lion frenzy in Essex. Teddy Bear, three — a 3ft long American Longhair breed — was mistaken for a lion by ...
Essex 'lion': Spotters adamant big cat still at large
BBC News
A couple who claimed to have seen an animal which looked like a lion in an Essex field say they believe the creature is still at large. A search for the "very large animal" seen near Earl Hall Drive in St Osyth, near Clacton-on-Sea, at about 19:00 BST ...
BBC News
A couple who claimed to have seen an animal which looked like a lion in an Essex field say they believe the creature is still at large. A search for the "very large animal" seen near Earl Hall Drive in St Osyth, near Clacton-on-Sea, at about 19:00 BST ...
| 'Essex lion was my pet cat Teddy Bear' - owner BBC News A woman has claimed sightings of a "lion"- which sparked an extensive search by Essex Police - were of her large pet cat, Teddy Bear. A search for the "very large animal" seen in St Osyth, near Clacton-on-Sea, on Sunday was called off on Monday. |
Owner claims her "Teddy Bear" was mystery lion
ITV News
Three year old Teddy Bear is a _Maine Coon, _a large breed of cat but in this setting, an unlikely candidate to be mistaken for a lion. But when his owner heard about a dangerous predator on the loose in a field just metres from her home, she had her ...
ITV News
Three year old Teddy Bear is a _Maine Coon, _a large breed of cat but in this setting, an unlikely candidate to be mistaken for a lion. But when his owner heard about a dangerous predator on the loose in a field just metres from her home, she had her ...
Essex Lion: Ginger Tom Latest Suspect In 'Large Cat' Mystery
Huffington Post UK
But after search teams found no evidence of the big cat, the force decided to stop looking. An Essex Police spokesman said: "We believe what was seen on Sunday evening was either a large domestic cat or a wildcat. "Extensive searches have been carried ...
Huffington Post UK
But after search teams found no evidence of the big cat, the force decided to stop looking. An Essex Police spokesman said: "We believe what was seen on Sunday evening was either a large domestic cat or a wildcat. "Extensive searches have been carried ...
| Is Teddy the giant tom cat REALLY the mystery lion of Essex? Daily Mail For this is Teddy Bear, the domestic cat who was last night at the centre of speculation that he had inadvertently triggered Britain's biggest safari hunt in living memory by being mistaken for a lion. The three-year-old pet – a Maine Coon which can ... Lion hunt: Essex police call off hunt for mystery big cat Telegraph.co.uk Lion hunt: Essex police call off hunt for mystery big cat. Essex police have called off their search for a lion believed to be on the loose near a caravan park in Essex after scrambling two helicopters and armed officers. Image 1 of 2. The caravan site ... Lion hunt: Essex police hunt big cat as holidaymakers tell of fear Telegraph.co.uk Whilst mystery continues to surround where it might have come from, police said the possible sighting should not put people off being out and about today. But people living and staying in the area have spoken of their fear, with one saying he had seen ... Paul Taylor: Essex Lion provides the mane attraction for silly season Manchester Evening News (blog) Why else would we still treasure the idea of a Loch Ness monster, and cherish The Hound of the Baskervilles above all Sherlock Holmes's adventures. It is because we live in such a safe nation that we love such drama. We may, if we are very unlucky ... Silly season goes out with a roar, but the Essex lion frenzy proves to be just ... The Independent Not only was our beast an ABC, which is how Alien Big Cats are referred to by cryptozoologists, those amateur animal hunters convinced that the Yeti, the Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster are all out there. It was the biggest ABC of all, carrying the ... UK Cops End Huge Search for 'Large Domestic Cat' Newser (Newser) – Today, in the Bigfoot-esque Department: A reported lion spotting in Essex, England, last night had police pulling out all the stops. Two helicopters equipped with thermal imaging were dispatched, and as many as 25 armed officers set out in ... The weird history of the Essex Lion and his relatives - Mail Online ... By Michael Hanlon Our primeval (and sensible) fear of large carnivores can cause our sensory apparatus to switch to overload. The Clacton Lion is not of course a one-off. Back in the late 1950s and 1960s we had the 'Surrey Puma', the first British Phantom Cat ... The worst press release you will ever see - The Media Blog By Will Sturgeon With the sightings of a Big Cat in Essex hitting the headlines, Illicit Encounters has offered up its own explanation of the large cat sighting, claiming that it may have actually been a Cougar. They are of course referring to the slang term of a ... BBC News - Could big cats be roaming the British countryside? On Monday police were called out to hunt for a lion reported to be on the loose in Essex. The ... Essex 'lion': Spotter adamant 'big cat is out there' BBC News A search for the "very large animal" seen near Earl Hall Drive in St Osyth, near Clacton-on-Sea, at about 19:00 BST on Sunday was called off on Monday. Gill Atkin, on holiday in St Osyth with her husband Steve, said: "I still don't think it was a ... 'Lion' in Essex: The latest big cat sighting This is Total Essex Officers decided to call off the search yesterday after no trace of a big cat was found. The Daily Mirror has reported the alert was sparked by a large domestic cat – a 12-year-old ginger tomcat, Tom. The incident is the latest in a long line of big ... Essex lion: Charting the big cats of Britain BBC News But sightings and evidence of big cats are not always a hoax. In Wales there have been a number of reports of big cats sighted in rural areas close to the scene of animal attacks on sheep. Dogs or foxes may be behind the attacks but some remain ...
Lion That Caused Panic in Britain is Probably a House Cat | Field ... By Online Editors The excitement now appears to have been caused by a large domestic cat, with amused locals already compiling a list of possible candidates for the beast which caused the scare. According to the story, "Teddy Bear" is the leading suspect, ...
Essex lion panic reaches Grays Thurrock Gazette A MOGGY sparked a police hunt in Grays yesterday, amid fears it was a lion cub. A police officer visited Thameside Junior and Infant school, in Manor Road, and informed bemused staff he was investigating a sighting of a big cat on the premises that ... Essex lion: 'big cat' seen near St Osyth 'probably a dog', says ... Expert consulted by Essex police over sighting of 'big cat' near Clacton says images taken by holidaymakers were inconclusive • Reality check: is there a lion ...
The indigenous British wildcat is by no means a 'big cat' but it is certainly mysterious, and this next slice of news is particularly welcome..
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