Phew! As you're doubtless already aware, the good people of Essex were able to sleep soundly in their beds last night, safe in the knowledge that there almost definitely isn't a lion on the loose in the county.
Police now believe the "lion" to be a large domestic cat.
But how could so many people mistake a common-or-garden ginger tom for a dangerous African mammal in the first place? Well, it's all a matter of perspective.
And we think comedy legend Father Ted explains it best in this clip from 1995...
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Got that? So just to clarify: a close-up cat may, on occasion, resemble a faraway lion. And... relax!
What's that? Still can't get enough of that damn lion? Check out our slideshow of the best Twitter #lionsongs...