Police call off search for mysterious Essex lion

Essex police called off a high-profile search for what witnesses had said was a mysterious lion that appeared, apparently out of nowhere, in a field near the seaside resort of Clacton.

Authorities had deployed firearms officers, a helicopter, and heat-seeking technology following reports of a cat-like beast roaming the Essex area.

The hunt for the creature — which witnesses had said appeared to be a lion — sparked a slew of media coverage yesterday.