“Lion” photo courtesy of Sharon Harding-Shaw. Colorado, July 14, 2008.

For comparison, I’ve added this photo of a lion demonstrating the tail up appearance.

The Associated Press is reporting, today, July 14, 2008, that a large maned felid has been sighted in El Paso County, Colorado, in the Falcon Hwy. and Log Rd. area, near Colorado Springs.

“An African Lion has been spotted. Two people reported seeing the lion, including one who captured a photo of the lion chasing dogs,” reads the first bulletin.

Sheriff’s Lieutenant Lari Sevene says the lion was reported at about 8:00 am this morning in the eastern part of the county.

One eyewitness told deputies the cat had a red mane and a big tail.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office reports that no lions have escaped from Big Cats of Serenity Springs, which exists in the vicinity. It’s a sanctuary that houses lions, tigers, ligers, cougars, leopards, and servals.

Colorado Division of Wildlife officers are searching for the big cat.

The command post in eastern El Paso County, where authorities searched for an African Lion that was reported to be roaming the area. July 14, 2008.

Michael Seraphin, spokesman for the Colorado Division of Wildlife, said photos taken by two residents and tracks found by DOW officers confirm the animal is an African lion and not a cougar.

Resident Sharon Harding-Shaw was one of the first to spot the reported lion. She took cell phone photos and gave them to authorities.

There have now been three sightings of the animal. Deputies are being told by witnesses that the cat has a red mane and a big tail.

Crews from Serenity Springs and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo have joined state officials in the search.

The four wildlife sanctuaries that are permitted to have lions all say their lions are accounted for.

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Late update: Search has been called off. Officials are not saying they are unsure if there ever was a lion.

This conclusion seems at odds with the earlier “official” statements.

^^^^^

The appendix, “The American Lion (Panthera atrox): Cryptid Black Panthers, Maned Cats, and Striped Felines Selected Sightings” in Mysterious America details decades of large mystery maned felid sightings. The appendix supports the specific details of Chapter 13, “Maned Mystery Cats.”

Thanks to Matt Bille of Colorado for today’s alert and the updates, with photo of the mystery animal.