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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/26/lion-on-the-loose-in-essex
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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Lion reported to be on the loose in Essex | Lion reported to be on the loose in Essex |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Police have warned residents to stay indoors after reports of a lion running loose in Essex. | Police have warned residents to stay indoors after reports of a lion running loose in Essex. |
| Armed officers and a police helicopter are at the scene of the sighting in fields off Earls Hall Drive in St Osyth, near Clacton. | |
| Officers from Essex police have been working with experts from Colchester Zoo, who believe the reports to be genuine after being shown a photograph from a member of the public. | Officers from Essex police have been working with experts from Colchester Zoo, who believe the reports to be genuine after being shown a photograph from a member of the public. |
| However, police said the animal had not escaped from the zoo, as all its big cats had been accounted for. | However, police said the animal had not escaped from the zoo, as all its big cats had been accounted for. |
| It is understood that at least one circus may have been touring the area recently. | It is understood that at least one circus may have been touring the area recently. |
| Brenda Lord, of Earls Hall Farm, St Osyth, said the sighting was made by "several people" staying in caravans at her farm. | |
| She said that at least one person had taken a photograph, apparently showing the animal in fields nearby. | She said that at least one person had taken a photograph, apparently showing the animal in fields nearby. |
| "We are unable to go and speak to them as we have been ordered to stay indoors by police," she said. | "We are unable to go and speak to them as we have been ordered to stay indoors by police," she said. |
| "Those in the caravans have also been told to stay inside. There is a police helicopter outside and lots of activity." | "Those in the caravans have also been told to stay inside. There is a police helicopter outside and lots of activity." |
| Dave Sparks, of the Red Lion pub in St Osyth, said that the reports had worried families staying in the area for the bank holiday. | |
| "We initially thought that it was a hoax but now we realise that it's genuine. The police are taking it very seriously. | "We initially thought that it was a hoax but now we realise that it's genuine. The police are taking it very seriously. |
| "It's the talk of the pub. There have been a few people in here with children who have been quite worried but generally we are not too concerned." | "It's the talk of the pub. There have been a few people in here with children who have been quite worried but generally we are not too concerned." |
| Within minutes of the police appeal to stay indoors, St Osyth was trending on Twitter. | |
| Police are urging anyone who sees a lion to call 999. | Police are urging anyone who sees a lion to call 999. |