This week’s whimsy is brought to you by a white tiger spotted in a field in Hedge End, Hampshire.
"It is understood that the tranquilliser dart was not used" | Photograph: Hampshire Constabulary/PA
[Hampshire Police] were alerted to the presence of a white tiger in a field in Hedge End, near Southampton on the south coast.
The force quickly liaised with a local zoo to arrange a tranquilliser dart, before scrambling a helicopter and team of police officers to pursue the beast – only to later discover that the tiger was a life-sized soft toy.
[...] officers cleared a nearby golf course and were prepared to close the M27 motorway should the tiger make a run for it – but in the end that proved unnecessary. “After a brief stalk through the Hedge End savannah, the officer realised the tiger was not moving and the air support using their cameras realised there was a lack of heat source,” the spokeswoman said.
“The tiger then rolled over in the down draught and it was at that point it became obvious it was a stuffed life-size toy.” It is understood that the tranquilliser dart was not used.
Please share any bits and pieces you have come across recently that have surprised, delighted, intrigued or otherwise positively engaged you.
NB: the weekly whimsy thread is a stoush-free zone
It is a bit brutal at times, but there is some fine whimsy in 100 greatest movie threats
Oh and it contains very strong language
http://jen-campbell.blogspot.com/search/label/weird%20things%20customers%20say
These days there are laws against little blue men.
In southern Thailand bordering Malaya, spotted two small elephants in the roadside jungle today, also plenty military APCs and encampments, many high tension police roadblocks, as election approaches, no tigers though.
Having grown up near there, I can report that tiger sightings are extremely rare. So it is understandable that they recognized one when they didn’t see it.
grace I came face to face with a thirsty tiger just south of the Thai border in the late 50′s. We were both after a drink. Me with the sections water bottles, the appropriate pills to counteract waterborne diseases and minus a weapon ’cause I’d discounted the need against the extra weight to tote. The tiger, just after a drink, frightened the living daylights out of me.
Fortunately it drank, all the while watching a transfixed potential quarry, stock still if one ignored the shakes, then disappeared into the lalang grass and was gone.
We need a BPRS now!
Thank you,tigtog, for posting this instructive video.
This problem has been encountered before, in Africa:
Humans are a little intriguing.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13402-shockwave-traffic-jam-recreated-for-first-time.html
“”"Shockwave traffic jam recreated for first time”"”