Armed police rushed to the aid of a farmer after he had apparently discovered a tiger on his farm outside Hatton in northeast Scotland.
The officers were then engaged in an hour-long stand-off with the big cat before discovering that the "tiger" was actually a stuffed, inanimate toy.
The farmer at the centre of the enquiry, who wishes to remain anonymous, is said to be "very embarrassed" by the situation.
Scottish police are treating it as a false alarm with good intent.