( 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 spokesman added : `` Nothing has been found to suggest that a lion was in the area . '' The search had been underway since holidaymakers reported seeing a lioness roaming through the fields Sunday evening . As the search continued many took to Twitter to claim sightings , while the @ EssexLion account picked up more than 35,000 followers . Personal trainer Danny Osborne claimed the `` lion '' is in fact a snow leopard with a fake tan and hair extensions , while comedian David Schneider tweeted he spotted the lion taking refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London . The police statement said : `` We would like to thank the local community and holidaymakers for their patience and support throughout the past 24 hours , as the police and media presence would have been somewhat overwhelming for them . '' The lion 's Twitter fame followed holidaymakers reporting what they believed was a lioness on the loose . Sue Wright told CNN she believed she saw a `` a lioness in the field '' when she looked through her binoculars following an alert from her sister-in-law . Wright said the animal was very big -- probably reaching above a person 's waist . She said she became `` very concerned particularly when it stood up , because we were n't sure in what direction it was going to head . '' In an earlier statement , Essex Police had said both they and experts from Colchester Zoo had scoured the area , using the police helicopter 's thermal imaging camera to try to find the animal . The police had advised people to be `` extra vigilant and cautious . ''
The search for a lion in Essex , near Colchester , has been called off . However , Twitter has been active with ' ` ` sightings '' The search came after people said they saw a lion in a forest .