Well, apparently a tiger has been spotted in the woods of Rufina near Florence. Today is the fourth day of the big hunt! They've got a trap set up as well as video surveillance and cameras triggered by movement in case it reappears.
The first sighting was made by a local man searching for mushrooms (and not big cats) in the woods. You can imagine the sight of a bloody great tiger must have quite put him off his porcini! Then came the report that a housewife had seen him (or her) prowling round the perimeters of her house. The third report was a man who heard … roars (gulp!)
After an extensive hunt using dogs, helicopters, local people and police, the tiger is still at large. This could explain the mysterious and scary grunting noise I heard two nights ago in the field behind my house. I thought at the time it was a wild boar, but hey – it may have been the tiger! OK I don't live anywhere near Rufina but it's had four days to make the trip. Now where's my pith helmet…
Hi Sarah
Well the story’s been reported in the Italian press: http://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2010/08/16/news/esce_a_cercare_funghi_ma_avvista_una_tigre-6325857/
but whether or not there is actually a tiger is anyone’s guess. It may turn out to be like the crocodile in the Channel that was actually a piece of wood!
is this real? I am in shock!!