MAP OF BIG CAT SIGHTINGS AND REPORTS up to December 2000
For sightings after 2000 please use the links
Click here for the 2001 sightings page
Click here for the 2002 sightings page
INDEX FOR THIS PAGE
Sightings in other parts of the country
Below
is a map and reports of sightings logged by ourselves or other agencies up to
end of 2000 since we began recording in 1992. Most are of a black leopard (or
panther) to give it its common name. Others are of a Puma type, brown cat. And
a few are of a smaller Lynx with its distinctive tufted ears.
Note
for clarity, some represent a number of sightings, and only those on the edges
of the two county borders are shown. A great number have been recorded
last year deep into Northamptonshire.
Below is a log of notable sightings for each
month since this site was started (Aug 98) (we have been logging sightings
though back to 1992). Precise details are left out in some instances to protect
the witness and or location. This is most important now, due to some
unscrupulous individuals who may be trying to "bag" a trophy. The aim is to provide an updated log, on a weekly or
daily basis, depending on the level of reports, and / or their nature. I also
include a log at the bottom of the page of any sightings of major interest,
outside of our area for added interest, and where possible visit these areas.
Following advice received in the autumn of 2000, we are no longer
putting specific details of sightings immediately on the net as it is believed
to be being used by certain individuals to try and hunt down and kill a big cat
I am sorry to all the genuine surfers but it is a risk that we
cannot take
INDEX
FOR THIS PAGE
Sightings in other parts of the country
Return
to front page
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR AUGUST 1998
Lynx type cat observed in grounds of primary
school at Oakham during daylight by couple walking dog. Cat just smaller than
their
Panther type cat observed crossing road near
Bourne, Lincs. close to disused railway. Site is 20 miles north east of Ketton,
and is in an area of sightings previously.
Neighbours in a street in
Best paw print cast to date, taken in
August98 from a series of prints in soft clay at the quarry of Castle Cement,
Ketton in
To view the paw print, click here
Positive sighting of Panther at Somerby, NR
Melton, Leics. Local man driving home to village at 23-00 hrs, observed a large
feline black cat, about 7 feet long and larger than an alsation dog, with
powerful muscular build, cross in front of his car at a walking pace and
disappear into undergrowth at the side of the road. This occurred on the edge
of the village only half a mile, and in a direct path to another road where it
was seen last year (by the witness's wife!) .
Paw prints taken from area of extensive big
cat sightings in
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 1998
Possible sighting of a Panther type big cat
between Oakham and Braunston at 18.30 hrs. Female driver noticed large black
animal trotting along field next to road. Bigger than a dog with long inclined
tail. Animal was moving in a cat rather than a dog like way. In an area of
previous sightings, so could be a Panther.
Reports of decline in fox and rabbit numbers
in woods to East of Oakham. Also numbers of deer are way down around the
Bourne, Lincs. area.
Report taken today (
Comments: Sightings around this area of Oakham have occurred
before, and the use by the Big Cats of railways (used and disused) is well
known about across the country. From interviewing the gentleman concerned, he
seems very credible and as mentioned took detailed observations at the time.
Going on his report, then this is almost certainly a Panther (black Leopard).
(Note there is also a Puma, of similar size but sandy brown in colour often
seen within 1/2 mile north of here.)
Report received today (
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR OCTOBER 1998
Various sightings around Bourne continue of a
Black, panther type cat, also I have spoken to the R.S.P.C.A inspector for
Lincs, who is following these, and other sightings up to and around
Gainsborough. Not only does he believe these are genuine, big cats, but he
also saw a Panther emerge from a wood south of Lincoln last year
with a rabbit in its mouth! So he is very keen to get another look and possibly
a photo!
Sightings have also been logged around
Somerby and Burough On The Hill 6 miles West of Oakham, in areas of previous
sightings. A black Panther type cat of large dog size involved.
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR NOVEMBER 1998
Right at the end of October, a report came in
of a suspicious killing of a domestic Alpaca, near to Market Harborough,
A group of Alpacas and Lamas were being kept
in a paddock next to the farm at Marston Trussell. The Alpacas are from
More sightings have just come in from around
Burrough On The Hill,
We have just had a report today (12th
Nov) of a suspected Big Cat kill on a sheep at Ashby Folville. This is close to
Burrough and is next to a disused railway. The animal had been almost consumed
with just the ribcage and spine left, this all occurred overnight (Tuseday).
The head was severed and was in another field! The carcass was taken to Drayton
Manor zoo where their Panther experts carried out a P.M and confirmed it as a
Big cat kill. The wind pipe having been crushed and puncture marks found. Also
the spine had been severed. It was a very clear, Big Cat kill unlike some kills
which could be dogs or even (as with a deer) due to inter animal fighting. The
kill comes in an area where more sightings have come in of a black cat, of
Following a high profile front page story by
the "Leicester Mercury", and other locals, last Saturday (14th
Nov) and the following week, there has been a massive amount of positive sightings
reported. These are often not reported for fear of ridicule, or lack of
knowledge on who to report them to. (After all, you wouldn’t generally ring 999
unless you were threatened by the cat). The response has even overwhelmed us ,
and has highlighted the previous sightings this month and before, in that there
is definitely a Puma type cat, of creamy brown colour, being seen regularly
around the West of Leicester and up to the Bradgate park area of Charnwood
Forest, north of Leicester. Newtown Linford has had independent witnesses of
the same animal (See October)
Also, we have had loads of Panther type black
cats, again around the Ashby Folvile/ Burrough areas, also nearby Tilton and a
substantial number in
Also some hunters were out in the Vale of Belvoir,
north of Melton, hunting with lamps ("lamping") for foxes, when they
came face to face with a Panther. They were so taken aback that they did not
shoot it, but instead got a very clear look. Being used to the countryside and
previous sceptics. They are now wary of going out at night unless in a group!
But hope to get a photo or video and would not want it shot.
More reports have come in today (21st Nov) of sheep kills, in suspicious circumstances. The latest sheep kill, has the hallmarks of a Big Cat, with classic evidence of a side on ambush to the throat of the unfortunate animal against a fence. This was confirmed by the presence of large blood stains up the fence where it was killed, with blood some 2 feet off the ground! This debunks the theory of some farmers that the previous was a dead animal, eaten by foxes. The only remains of the latter being the fleece and ribs/spine and 3 legs. Again the head was severed and missing. The carcass had been dragged 20 feet from the kill through a hedge and ditch to another field. The kill and stripping of the carcass had occurred overnight. The police have viewed the site and are as convinced as ourselves that it is the work of at least one Big Cat.
To view the evidence of these kills, click here
A further kill occurred, again with only some
bones remaining, and no head and only 3 legs. This was
3 kills in less than 3 weeks in the same
area!
Another attack on a sheep has occurred, but
the animal has survived, albeit with deep lacerations from claw marks.
Fortunately, this run of kills ended as quickly as they started and has not
(30-01-00) been repeated.
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR DECEMBER 1998
Confirmed reports of suspicious sheep
kill at Twyford, just south of previous kills, The N.F.U is now urging farmers
to report all suspected attacks to gauge the level of the problem. Will be over
in the area on early morning observations this weekend.
Sheep found near Owston Woods with its throat
ripped out. The farmer who reported it suspects the Panther was to blame as a
dog would have gone for the rear of the sheep.
Further sheep kill in area of 3 previous
panther kills (see Nov) Farmer disturbed by his dogs at night went out with
"night sight" and could see animal sitting in the edge of the
adjacent woods> he woke his wife to look and they are certain it was not a
fox or dog
The farmer is now bringing all his sheep in
to the barns every night for safety, a major inconvenience.
Horse rider reported a previous sighting of
Panther type big cat on land next to above farm during daylight at end of
November.
Report in (Friday 18th Dec) of very
good joint sighting of panther by two witnesses. Two workers at the Castle
Cement quarry at Ketton, were working on the new west face at 10-00 in the
morning, when they noticed all the sheep running around the adjacent field.
Also the birds all flew up from the hedges, when they noticed the panther like
cat chasing the sheep. Described as black and bigger than an Alsation dog, but
with cat like features, the animal headed off towards RAF Luffenham without
catching any sheep! This is the first sighting NR Ketton we have heard of since
the early Autumn, but is in an area of previous prolific sightings going back
some years (see paw print page) This report has featured exclusively in today's
(Thursday 24th Dec) "Rutland Mercury" hence the delay on
posting of full details until now
We have also had a report of sighting last
week on the Eastern edge of Leicester by a rabbit hunter, who picked up the
yellow eyes of the cat staring back at him in the dark. This was NR to a
disused railway and is only 10 miles from the Twyford sheep kills, and again in
an area of previous sightings last year.
Sighting report in of Panther at
Knossington at 10:30 Tuesday 29th Dec morning. Knossington is 4
miles west of Oakham and is just in to Leicestershire. The cat was seen by a
middle aged couple from London who were driving from relations in the village,
and had no knowledge of the history of the Panther. They identified it
immediately as a Panther, and say it was bigger than an Alsation. (black in
colour) with a long cat tail, muscular body etc. What makes this sighting even
more remarkable is that it was seen crossing the road into woods only 100 mtrs
from the field where the Cottesmore hunt meet was taking place at 11-00.
This was also the hunt meet that Prince Charles attended, so there was
also a very large foot following and police presence! Even worse was that I
drove down the road twice at that time, going to the local refuse tip! But I
didn’t have my camera, so it was a good job I didn’t see it (even I can't carry
the camera everywhere) This is the first time it has been back to Knossington
for almost 4 years to the day, and is within feet of previous sightings and
only 1/2 a mile from my fathers home and his sighting that started our search
all those years ago in earnest ! This repeat location is a classic trait of the
cats and has been repeated countless times before, even being seen 2 years to
the day in the same field, after being away from an area.
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR JAN 99
Following a local radio interview on the
latest panther sightings, a report was received yesterday of a positive I.D. on
a Panther at Cossington. This was near to the main A46 trunk road and is about
8 miles north of the City of Leicester. (7 miles West of the recent sheep
kills, but some 20 miles West of the last report at Knossington.) A couple who
breed Labrador dogs, noticed the cat in an adjacent field as they drove at
16-00 hrs on the 31st December. The wife saw it first and alerted
her husband. They got a clear look and say it was black with very cat like
movement and long tail, and about size of Alsation dog but very muscular. They
are adamant that it was not a dog ,or any native wildlife but a Panther type
big cat. This report is only a mile from areas of previous reports a few years
ago, and close to the Charnwood forest sightings of November.
It would therefore seem clear, given the reports so far, that
the Knossington and Cossington cats are not the same animal, and I would also
say that as Ketton is about 14 miles east of Knossington, then that is not the
same animal either. This is based on the fact that in the wild, their territory
is only 60 square miles and that from previous experience, the cat will stay
within a few miles and then move slightly on to a new area. Perhaps returning
after a few months or even years to the same place or field but certainly not
moving across the county in one move. Especially as there are areas devoid of
sightings in between the hot spots, and some major roads, motorways and
railways to cross.
Following a high profile report in "The
Leicester Mercury" on the latest report of the panther being only a few
hundred yards from Prince Charles. We received two reports of previous
sightings.
The first was by a fisherman on his way to a
lake at 04-00 in the morning in September near Stoke dry. This is about 10
miles South of Oakham and has had reports of sightings a few years ago, but
there were sightings near there in September. As he drove along a lane, he saw
the cat in the middle of the road drinking from a puddle! He stopped with the
cat just feet from his bonnet and illuminated clearly, completely at ease with
his car. He described the animal as black, about the size of a large dog, but
with a long curved tail, and muscular body, the shoulders were visible sticking
up above its body (this would be more noticeable at close range with the cat
crouching to drink). He is adamant that he was observing a Big Cat such as a
Panther. After a short while, the cat finished drinking and slinked off through
the hedge.
Note, this is not the first
report of car drivers being able to observe the cat at very close distance at
ease, and applies equally to other wildlife such as Muncjac deer who are very
timid, but I have had some very close observations at night with them.
The second report dates back to the evening
of December 16th 1998 when a middle aged couple at Glenfield had
their 6th view of a panther like cat! They live near a disused
railway on the North West outskirts of Leicester close to the main M1 motorway
and their large garden has a culvert under it. It appears that the cat is
following the stream and crossing the garden to avoid the culvert. They are
aware of its presence due to security lights and have now seen it on 6 occasions
over the last few years. Described as labrador dog size, dark in colour with
long tail, cat like head and movement and powerful body. They often get alerted
to visiting badgers , foxes etc but occasionally get something more exotic.
Again, this report would
indicate that the Cossington report is the animal over to the North West of
Leicester and not the same animal that is around Knossington and Oakham. This
is not the first report of a Panther over that area of Leicester and there is
also a Puma a few miles North of this sighting
Further information on the late
December sighting at Knossington above has come to light and reveals that
Prince Charles actually rode by the point where the Panther crossed, within
minutes prior or after the sighting on the way from his horse box to the field
where the meet took place! This fact has now been picked up by the local and
now national media (keep an eye on the Sunday Mirror for 10th Jan).
A very good sighting has just come in of a
reported Panther at Grimston near Melton. A doctor and his girlfriend witnessed
a large black cat, described as a black leopard, standing on the adjacent
disused railway embankment, looking at them as they were out shooting rabbits
at 23-00 in bright moonlight. He is now going to try to track the cat (Sun
10thJan) and believes it to be in one of the numerous old railway tunnels in
the area. This report is in an area of high activity a few years ago with odd
reports in between, and is about 7 miles northwest of the sheep kills of November.
Report in of sighting 13th Jan at
Mountsorrel. The village is between Leicester and Loughborough, about 3 miles
from the Cossington report. A pet cat was found at the owners door in a very
distressed state, and the owner observed a large black animal, of large dog
size slink away at the bottom of the garden. The cat had to have treatment for
lacerations and had to be tranquillised to calm it down. The suspected animal
was also making a most unusual wailing noise, which was not a fox, (which the
owners regularly get visits from)
Just in,(only just able to update) on Mon
18th Jan, at about 18-00, my sister who is in her late 20s was
travelling along the lane from Pedigree Petfoods research and admin
headquarters at Waltham on The Wolds (where she works in marketing) when she
came round a bend. Directly in front, in the middle of the lane was an animal
of about 3 foot high and 6 to 7 foot long, sandy brown in colour. Travelling at
50 mph, she though she was going to hit the animal, when in a split second, it
sprang from the centre of the road and cleared both the 7 foot wide verge and 6
foot high hedge in one leap! Being brought up in the countryside, she is used
to foxes, Muncjac deer etc, and is sure it was none of these. Waltham is about
4 miles North East of Melton Mowbray and is in deepest leafy Leicestershire.
Although her sighting was only
seconds in length, from the description and agility, its almost certain she saw
a Puma (cougar/mountain lion/catamount). These look like a lioness at a glance
and although there are no reports of one at Waltham before, there has been
Pumas seen north of Oakham and over to Bourne, as well as North Leicester. And
we know that Pumas and Panthers are seen in the same areas and Panthers have
been in the area previously. This now means that 5 members of my family have
seen either the Panther or Puma over the last 4 1/2 years. I can't wait for my
turn!
Also, in today is a report from a driver, of
a Puma sighting at Great Dalby, about 5 miles south of Melton. The sighting was
at 16-00 hrs on Sun 10th Jan, and the Gentleman observed a Big Cat leap across
the road in two bounds! He described it as sandy brown in colour, very cat like
with a long tail and about 6 foot long and 3 foot high. He is convinced it was
a Puma or similar Big Cat.
The sighting matches the report
from my sister and is about 6 miles from that location. Interestingly, it is
also only a mile or so from the farm where all the November sheep kills
occurred, and also in an area of prolific Black Panther type Big Cat reports.
This mixing of Big Cats is not uncommon and has been seen elsewhere in our, and
other regions.
Just in today, report of a very good sighting
on Thurs 21st Jan at Melton Mowbray. Two men observed a Panther type Big Cat
next to the Tesco store on Thorpe road Melton. Situated on the North East
outskirts of Melton, the sighting was at 15-00 and was in a small field , next
to the store. The animal was seen for nearly 15 minutes! Described as black but
with a mottled coat, about twice as long as a Labrador dog and about 3 feet
high. There are 100 % sure it was a Big cat they were observing.
This report is only 2 miles
from the Puma report from Monday, of an all together different animal. This
fits in with the two animals being together in the same area, and we are only
short of a sighting of both together to confirm this interaction. It is thought
possible that Panthers and Pumas could pair up in the right conditions. Note we
assume the black animal to be a Panther, due to, as in this case, observations
of spots under the black coat, in the right lighting conditions. Pumas can have
grey to black coats, but it is very very rare. Normal coats are sandy brown,
with white under the chin and front
More sightings have come in of a black
"Panther" type Big Cat at Ingarsby, near Houghton On The Hill. This
village is about 6 miles east of the City Of Leicester, and is sited next to a
disused railway! A husband and wife both individually saw the cat on alternate
days there. It is also only 1/2 mile from where a night hunter looking for
rabbits picked up what he thought was a Big cat in his nightscope at the start
of the month.
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR FEBRUARY 99
We have been contacted by a Leics Parks
rangers who have seen what they believe to be a Panther on a number of
occasions. For professional reasons, we are not revealing the location at their
request, as they fear armed hunters and other such undesirables invading the
park.
We also were contacted on 03-02-99 by an
ornithologist who witnessed a trail of unusual prints, along with a game keeper
at a large estate. They informed us and took a plaster cast, but when the
landowner found out, he ordered complete destruction of the trail, and a ban on
access to the site. We have seen the cast taken though, and have to report it
as a dog. It is about the same size overall as the Ketton print, but has a
different pad layout and shows possible blunt claws being present. It does make
you wonder if some sightings or other evidence goes a similar way though.
We did spend an afternoon over at nearby
Ketton woods, and found some promising areas to investigate with possible Lynx
prints
Report from the Rutland Times, of a positive
sighting at Little Casterton. On Friday evening 5th Feb, a motorist driving
towards the village, near to the Tolethorpe Hall Shakespear theatre saw a large
Cat in his lights. He stopped and the cat walked up to the car, passing down
the side. The motorist described the animal as about the size you would expect
a leopard to be, Jet black and unfazed by the proximity of his car.He lives in
the next village, and is quite used to normal wildlife identification.
This report is only 2 miles
from Ketton, to the North of Stamford, and is in an area of sightings right
back to the early days of black,Panther type and light brown Puma type cats.
Report in of cat like prints in the snow at
Somerby during Wednesday night (10th Feb). Householder found large bone hanging
high up from tree (for birds) had been ripped down and taken. Prints all round
the garden and looked like it jumped neighbours wall and raided their dustbins.
This report of prints, although
not able to be verified by ourselves, sounds like a Big Cat, and is only yards
away from where a Panther type Cat has been observed crossing the road to
Burough On The Hill
Report just in from man who saw a Panther
type Big Cat at Peterborough. I have spoken to the gentleman as although in
Cambridgeshire, it is only about 18 miles from Ketton, and could be the same
animal seen up to that area. He was driving into his yard at Fengate on the
South east of the City, at 02-00 in the morning, when he observed a large Black
cat like animal. It was not concerned by the lights, and sauntered along before
jumping a wall into fields. He describes it as being as big or bigger than his
own Alsation dog, and shiny black. He thought it looked quite slim and fit.
Another report is running in the local
Peterborough paper, of a clear sighting at 08-00 on Sunday 14th Feb near
Wansford.(8 miles west of Peterborough) A large Panther like cat , black in
colour crossed the A47 trunk road in front of the witness, who is positive it
was a very large cat.
Both these reports are within
movement distance of Ketton, the latter is only a few miles away, but both are
connected with each other by the river Nene (with footpath) and the preserved
Nene railway. There have been numerous reports around Wansford and Caistor over
the last few years, and even of a Panther stopping dumfounded traffic to cross
the adjacent A1 dual Carriageway!
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR MARCH 99
Following a quiet February and even quieter
March in our area, the Panther is back! We received a report of a sighting
yesterday (Frid 12th). A site visit was made by the team and the following
found. A lady noticed from her kitchen, what she thought was a large dog,
lolloping along the grass, by the church in the village of Great Dalby, East
Leics. It was 07-00 in the morning, and light. She realised as it approached
her kitchen window that it was not a dog, and then identified it as a Big Cat,
a Panther she thought. She observed the animal for a short while and then lost
sight of it. It was described as, much bigger than a Labrador dog, with at
least a 3 foot tail, and powerful build, and black coat. It was moving in a cat
like manner, and was confident in its surroundings. No prints were found at the
scene on the todays visit. An unconfirmed report was received during the site
visit, of a sighting at nearby Somerby last night. Details posted when known.
After some time without
sightings, its nice to know that "our" Panther is alive and well.
This seems to occur from time to time both here and in other areas (and occurs
in the wild) No one is sure why these animals can disappear for months, and
then pop up again. Still, with all the wet weather, its probably been staying
low in a barn somewhere in the locality.
The latest report, is in the
area of heavy sheep losses in Nov, and was where a Puma crossed the road in
early Jan. It has also been in the triangle of reports for the last 6 months,
being to some 6 miles south of Melton, and not far West of Oakham
We have received a report from Whitwick of a
sighting on Mon 15th March. Whitwick is about 10 miles North West of Leicester
close to Coalville and close to the prolific summer and previous hot spots of
Thringstone. A lady saw a large Panther type cat, on the hedge behind her house
at 05-15 in the morning. She could clearly see it in the security lights. It
had a long curved tail, and the body looked black. It then moved away.
This report was a number
received following a packed talk at nearby Overseal to a Wildlife group. More
reports were received via the attended, of last summers activity in the area.
Over half the audience had either seen, or knew someone who had seen a Big Cat
wild in the U.K.!
We have also received a report from a
reliable witness of a sighting last month at Coventry, Warwickshire. The
gentleman, an MD of large Leics company, and high ranking official in Leics,
was returning from Stratford on Avon along the A46 on 10th Feb at 19-05. As he
stopped at the A45 roundabout south of Coventry near Baginton airport, a large
Panther like cat walked across the well lit 3 lane carriageway in front of him.
He was only 10 feet away as it ambled across the road, and he described it as
black, slightly smaller than a Labrador dog, with a long thick tail. He also
said it had a cat like head and he was drawn to its very large padded paws. It
was in his vision for about 20 seconds and came from thick cover and went into
cover on the other side. The gentleman is very level headed and is convinced he
saw a Panther or similar Big Cat. On our reporting of this to the local
Leamington Spa paper, it transpires they have a large dossier of sightings
going back years in the Coventry / Warwick / Birmingham triangle. (See other
areas log for Jan 99)
It also appears that there have been reports
of Panther sightings near Morcott in Rutland this year that we were not aware
of. We are following up this lead.
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR APRIL 99
April has been a rather quite month, but this
last week has resulted in a glut of reports, going back to March. (a bit like
the old bus adage).
We received a report from a colleagues wife
who works in the office of a large company on the edge of Corby,
Northamptonshire. In early April, she looked out of the 2nd level office window
over the old steel works quarry, and saw what she thought was a man in a dark
monkey suit up a tree! A second worker looked, and thought it may be part of
the tree bough, being about 25 to 30 feet up the tree, and at around 1/4 mile
away. A male worker then also looked intrigued at the commotion, and all three
watched in amazement as the object came down the vertical tree trunk, and
disappeared into the deep cover below. They discussed what they had seen and
came to the conclusion that it was a very large dark animal, to have been so
clearly visible at that distance and of the same dimensions as a large man. It
must also have been capable of scaling the 25 foot of vertical trunk. They can
only assume it was a big cat, possibly a Panther.
The area where the animal was
seen is in a vast overgrown quarry area, which is securely fenced off to the
public. The tree has been identified, and is about 1/4 mile from the office,
and the fork is at 25 feet above the ground. There have been past and recent
reports of Panthers all over the Corby area, and the place in question has a
large wild deer population.
Following coverage of this report in the
local media, more sightings have come in. One was of a Panther which
"jumped vertical 4 feet up on all fours" when a lady walking her
Alsation dog disturbed the cat while it was "sunbathing" in the hedge
of a lane South of Corby. The dog ran off with the Panther following. The lady
was very shocked, and believed her dog had been lost, but it returned after
about 1/2 hr unharmed! She described the cat as black, and as big if not bigger
than the dog, with a long curved tail.
Although dogs have been
attacked in other areas, there have also been documented cases of dogs being
almost seen to play with the cats, and certainly not shown or had any
aggression .shown towards them.
A remarkable report has also come in from
nearby Kettering. A retired couple have had some unusual goings on in their
large garden on the northern edge of the town. It started in mid March, when
overnight, all the frogspawn disappeared out of their garden pond! The garden
is well secured, and no native animal was known to steal frogspawn, besides it
had never happened in the last 30 years before. Then, in early April, the lady
was standing at the bottom of the garden when she heard a scratching noise from
the 6 foot high fence in front of her. She watched as a "hand" came
over the top and gripped the edge. She then realised that it was a big furry
paw, covered in black hair and mud! And was "big", about 4 to 5
inches across. After a few seconds, it slid down the other side, and she heard
the animal retreat. Puzzled, She told her neighbour, who then told her that he
had recently seen a Panther in their garden drinking water from the water butt
tap! , and that she had probably seen it coming over the fence but disturbed
it.
We have also had reports of a Panther type
cat crossing a footbridge on the Southern outskirts of Leicester this week, and
also sightings of a Panther type cat near Seagrave, 8 miles north of Leicester,
which are being followed up on night searches by our Loughborough team.
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR MAY 99
Just when we thought April had been fairly
quite, we have just received a glut of reports from the previous months. The
first goes back to mid February, when a Panther like black cat was seen on the
Leics /Warwickshire border near Twycross Zoo, at Sheepy Wash, about 16-00 hrs.
(The Zoo have no Panthers in captivity, but do have other Big Cats)
The next and remarkable sighting was by a
Police Patrol on the Rutland / Leics border. We heard a report that two
officers from Leics Police, were shocked when a Panther walked across the road
in front of them. We have checked this out, and it has been confirmed as
genuine, although the police officers wish to remain unidentified for obvious
reasons! The sighting was on the main Oakham to Melton road at Leesthorpe, on
the 20th April, at 23-00. The animal was described as bigger than a fox, or
dog, black with cat like features and movement, and a long tail. Leics Police
wildlife inspector (who is a firm believer in the cats existence) interviewed
the pair, and is certain of what they saw. We have been given permission to
publish this report in the press (Leics Mercury).
Also on the same night as the police sighting,
a Panther was seen on Melrose rd, at Thringstone, near Coalville, 35 miles West
of the police report!
Also more reports around Arnesby area of
South Leics
Police sightings of Big
Cats across the country is not unusual, and one wonders how many more officers
see them and don't report for fear of ridicule, I believe that the two
Policemen involved here, were very reluctant to report it in and only did so
due to the extensive investigations that ourselves and Leics Police have been
undertaking.
It is also nice to have two
simultaneous reports from opposite ends of the county, to prove the existence
of more than one Cat (which we already knew)
More reports in from the Kettering area of
Panther type cat activity around Rothwell.
Despite an evening tonight driving around
Rutland with night-vision scopes etc. We have failed to pick up any
observations, although the Peterborough group are more hardy, and are staying
on station all night!!
We have had a glut of reports from throughout
the two counties and beyond,
Sighting of Panther in mid April by 5
occupants in a car at Langham, North West of Oakham. The cat was described as
about the size of a Labrador, black with cat like head and long curved tail.
Only reported to us, due to a local radio interview today (9/7/99)
6th May. A lady police sergeant and other
ornithologists, on an early morning bird watch, observed a large pale brown to
light cream cat through field glasses at 06-00 near Peckleton (South West of
Leicester.) She observed the cat for at least 10 minutes, and could clearly see
its mouth and whiskers. It was sitting in the early morning sun, and acting
like a normal cat would. She judged its size as about a labrador dog size.
Thought to be a Puma, of which there was a report last year only 5 miles north
of this site.
13th May. A man and his wife saw a very big
black cat rolling on its back on Braunstone lane, Braunstone, West Leicester at
17-00 !!! He is used to watching badgers and Foxes, and said that this animal
was definitely a Cat, and was acting like a kitten would, with its paws etc.
Was much bigger than a fox, and had a 2 to 2 1/2 foot tail. The Police are
certain, that this is a genuine sighting of a panther. Its interesting to note,
its next to a large park, and also a goods railway, linking Leicester with
Coalville which is known by the local park rangers, to be a route used by all
manner of wildlife to access the City. It is also only a mile or so from the
sightings at Glenfield at the end of 98.
17 th May, Man walking dog at midday near
Ashby de la Zouch, North West Leics, saw a large dark cat 100 yrds in front.
The animal loped across the field into a hedge out of view. Described as size
of a retriever, and not a dog, but cat like, but far too big for domestic cat.
13th June. Manager of a farm saw a black cat
at 05-45 in the morning. The animal leapt over a crash barrier on Welham lane,
Great Bowden (North east of Market Harborough, South Leics) Described as lower
than a Labrador, but longer
21st June, Midnight, a lady observed a large
black cat cross the road, near the dissused quarry at Tixover, South Rutland.
The animal was low to the ground, about Alsation size with rounded ears and cat
like head, long thin tail. The animal sprang across the road.
Sighting, is only a mile from Ketton quarry.
Also report of a Panther like cat seen on
Cold Overton hill, Oakham in late June.
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR JULY 99
5th July. Report of Panther like cat at
Kimcote, west of Market Harborough (near M1)
7th July. Panther like black cat with
"square" head small ears and long tail down to the ground. Size of
collie dog. Seen on Middle Brand Lane, Griffydam, North west Leics (near)
Coalville)
8th July. Panther type cat as described
above, seen at 10-00 in the morning, near pond at Newbold, mile or so from last
report.
9th July. (Posted 17th July). Panther like
cat clearly sighted in early hours from 25 yrds on edge of Leicester. Full
details being withheld. I will have full info up on here for next week when all
will be revealed. See 19th July update
9th July. Sighting on same day as above at
19-00 hrs of a large fawn colour cat at Donnington-Le-Heath, on the South West
of Coalville (about 10 miles West from the Panther above). A lady observed the
animal from close up, until it moved off. She said it was very similar to a
Cheetah, compare new Puma Page photos for similarities.
Click on the Puma to visit Photos page
We have not had many
Pumas reported in, but the early sightings in Rutland during 1991 were of a
fawn or black cat, which confused the local press. We have had two Puma reports
near Melton, North East Leics this year, and the last report in May of a Puma
by a Police sergeant at Peckleton, in the far West of Leics, which is about 7
miles from this latest report. Its interesting to note that although never seen
together (although it has been reported in other counties) the Puma when rarely
seen, is always within a few miles of a recent Panther report, wherever its
seen. We are certain that not only are the Panthers mating, but some cross
breeding with Pumas is also occurring.
12th July. At 04-15 in the morning, a couple
driving in Donisthorpe, on the Leics /Derbyshire border, observed a very large
Panther like cat cross in front of their car and lope down the field. They said
it had a very long (4 foot) tail and the animal was bigger than an Alsation
12th July At 23-40, a lady observed from her
window at Appleby Magna, just 1 mile from the above report of only 18 hours
earlier, a similar animal above. Initially ,she thought it was a man lying next
to the road under the street lamp. She called her husband who saw it, and then
they realised when it got up and walked off, it was a very, very big black cat!
4 foot tail and long powerful body of bigger than a large dog. They observed
the animal for12-13 minutes.
We are certain from the
descriptions and their close proximity/ timings, that these are both the same
Panther. Also, that it is a male, due to its large reported size. Some reports
near to these locations have been of a smaller Labrador size animal, which may
be a female.
Report just released to the Media today (19th
July) of the sighting on 9th July.
A senior Motorway patrol police sergeant was
driving up the M1 motorway at Leicester Services, J21A at 03-45 in the morning.
As he came off on the A46, he observed a large cat like animal on the verge. He
stopped the patrol car 25 yrds from the animal and realised it was a Panther.
Jet black and about the size o a Labrador dog, with tail longer than its body.
It was playing in the grass like a kitten, trying to catch a mouse or
something. He immediately radioed the control room for CCTV footage, but the camera
could not get the curved slip road bank in view. The patrol was also the only
motorway car without on board video. After watching the Panther for a short
while, it became aware of the danger, and "shot off" up the bank into
the fields. The Sergeant is very experienced and took the reports of big cats
lightly. He now believes anything about these creatures!!
Due to the implications that could follow, we
have held back on this report until full permission received to go public.
This animal is the same size
as the Panther seen a few weeks earlier on Braunstone park, just a couple of
miles down the freight railway near by. It was also playing in a kitten like
way, as was the animal seen earlier, pointing to a young Panther, maybe just
over a year old and learning to hunt.
This is also the 4th Leics
Police officer that we know of to get a really good sighting of a Big
Cat in the last 4 months!
Reports in today of 2 new sightings in the
Coalville area again. The first was from Sat 17th July from a man walking on
the golf course near to the Snibston discovery park on the edge of Coalvile,
West Leics. He confronted a Panther like cat at 08-00 in the morning. The cat
ran up to within a few metres of him and stopped. They both stood facing each
other, and although not scared, the man was obviously concerned and began to
talk to the Panther as one would with a dog. The cat sat down and was visibly
foaming at the mouth. After a short while, it twitched the end of its tail,
turned, and shot off as fast as any animal could run. He described the animal
as Labrador size but longer, with a "butch" cat like head and very
long curved tail. He is very concerned now, as to the safety of dogs walked on
the park etc, although the cat did not threaten him.
The next report was on Mon 19th July at
Breedon on The Hill, some 6 miles North West of the last. A lady looked out of
her cottage in the village to see a very large cat, walking on the stone wall
opposite. It was early morning, but light and she could clearly see the animal
was larger than a Labrador, with very long tail and cat like movement and
appearance, black in colour.
Both of these cats fit in
with the sightings reported local to the area, although the 2 over at
Donsisthorpe sound like a much bigger male Panther. The Snibston report is also
only a mile from the Puma report at Donnington-Le -Heath on the 19th of this
month, again putting weight to the theory that the Panthers and Pumas are
integrating, or at least tolerant with each other.
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR JULY AND AUGUST 99
August has been rather quite in our area,
with just the odd one or two reports from around the usual areas of Coalville
and Moira, in the West of Leics.
A good report has came in last week from the
East suburb of Leicester in the Thurnby Lodge area. This involve a Panther like
cat, jumping into the garden of a dog breeder. The son who is over 6 foot was
feeding the puppies in the early hours of Sept 1st with his mother when the Cat
jumped over their high fence. The son was so alarmed at its size that he ran
into the house. The cat went behind an old sofa and its ears were still visible
above the back ! It made a deep growling type noise and then jumped back out of
the garden, clearing the fence by 2 feet!
The family had just moved from the Scarborough
area and although they knew of reports up there, they were unaware of Big cat
activity in Leicester! They contacted the police who then put ourselves in
touch.
Ii is interesting to note, this
sighting is close to the disused railway and only a few hundred yards from a
sighting in the early hours some 2 years ago on Colchester road!
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 99
There have been quite a lot of reports from
around the Melton area going back to July. All feature an animal of Labrador to
Alsation size and a good amount have been at mid day in broad daylight. In all,
the cat was totally at ease, in one case, walking along in front of a car on a
narrow lane. In another this month, the cat walked up a disused railway bank,
then turned and looked back at a lady with her dog.
We also heard from a local farmer who saw the
Panther jump 25 feet out of a tree last August. He was prompted by the latest
press releases to get in touch.
Also following a phone in featuring the Leics
Police wildlife officer, who openly discussed the fact that these cats were at
large and it was a matter of how many there were, rather than if they exist.
More sightings were reported in.
An interesting report has come in from a man
who was at the Melton Country park in mid September. It was lunch time and he
heard a deep growling noise coming from a thicket on the old railway. He
described it as exactly like the sound he heard a few weeks prior at Drayton
Manor zoo. The two Panthers (as featured on this website front page) were playfully
fighting and made the same sound. A very unusual and distinct rasping noise.
After some time it stopped. There have also been further reports from the
Melton country Park area. One was of as Panther like cat seen by a farmer last
summer when it leapt 20 feet from out of a tree! At nearby Waltham.
There have been few reports of
any sounds linked to the cats, and this sound, unique to the Leopard/Panther
being heard in a sightings hot spot is of great interest. This rules out a
black Puma which makes a cat like wowing noise although a hybrid x-breed may be
able to make the rasping sound.
The "Rutland Times" also ran a
report today (2/10/99) on a sighting at Normanton on the South East shore of
Rutland water. A girl travelling with her father observed a cat like animal ,
black and Labrador sized in a field on Monday.
This is the first report from
that area for some months now, but is only yards from previous sightings
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR OCTOBER 99
There have been reported sheep kills and
sightings south of Market Harborough, in the south of the county. These are
being followed up.
We also received a good sighting this week of
a Panther near Leicester. A lady and her friend were tending a cemetery at
Anstey to the North West of Leicester at mid day on Sun 10th October. They
heard the cattle in the next field making a noise and looked over the fence to
see them charge to the end of the field in a group. They then saw a large black
animal running down the field. Initially they though it may be a dog, but when
it got nearer, they realised that it was in fact a very large black cat, of
labrador to alsation size. It disappeared when it reached the hedge. The lady
concerned holds a responsible position and wishes here name is not disclosed.
But she does come from West Leics, and was aware of the activity around there,
although she has never seen anything before.
This sighting is only a mile
from the Police sighting of July on the M1 and close to other areas of previous
sightings. The cattle are of interest, as sometimes the Cats can move through a
field with little or no response. At other times, the cattle break out of their
field in panic.
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 99
There have been the usual run of sightings
over the two months including some notable ones. A Puma type brown cat was seen
at close quarters by a man walking at the side of the Church in Ragdale, South
West of Melton. The animal was drinking from a cattle trough and he got a good
view of it.
A large Carps head was found some distance
from a fishery in South Leics, near to the sighting of a Puma earlier in the
year. The owner said that there were marks on the remains indicating an animal
had held the head as it ate it. They also found prints of a large animal and a
mysterious Panther like cat was seen prior to the fish being taken
A lorry driver in South Corby had a Panther
type cat cross in front of his lorry as he drove down the access to Euro Hub.
This is a disused quarry railway, and is surrounded by woods and old workings
and is a constant area of sightings. The driver said it was as big as an
Alsation, with long curved tail and black coat. He got a very clear view of it
and said it was not bothered. He is used to Pumas (Cougars) as he is from the
States and said that this was definitely a Panther and not a Puma.
There was also more sightings at the end of
99 around the Charnwood Forest near Coalville and a burried goat was dug up by
a lrge animal using one paw to scoop the soil away, cat prints were found.
An intensive operation by the RSPCA, Police
and ourselves, concentrated on a farm East of Leicester. A Panther type cat had
been seen living in a large barn of round bales and had been there for some
days having been a resident the previous winter. The farmer had seen it at
close quarters from a tractor, as had his children in the farmyard. A number of
farm cats had vanished as well. The RSPCA took away samples of big cat faeces
from the top of the stack, but despite watching the barn, the animal was not
seen again.
This sightings is interesting,
as its very close to the Leicester suburbs where sightings in gardens has
occurred, also the area is crossed by a disused railway and tunnel, and runs
right into Leicester.
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR JANUARY 2000
We have not heard of many positive sightings
in our area so far this year although there is circumstantial evidence of Big
Cat activity in the Charnwood Forest area still going on, Chris is covering
that area and following up. However, with the high profile media coverage at
the end of the month, we are sure to get more reports in.
The investigation prior to
Xmas, and the number of Police officers sighting cats also prompted the RSPCA
and Police to jointly admit for the first time on camera and print on the eve
of the BBC2 documentary, 27th Jan 2000 that there was indeed a
population of Panthers and Pumas at large in the Leicestershire and Rutland
countryside.
Click to see the article in
Thursdays Leicester
Mercury and also the
transcript of the Yorkshire Post on the confessions of releases.
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR FEBRUARY 2000
Reports received of three previous sightings
One was of a sighting by a man in late 1999 of a Panther or Puma near Staunton Harold, on the Leics/ Derbyshire border: He saw the Cat the day after boxing day the 27th, at 2.30 am.
As he stepped out of the house with his dog,
the dog stopped dead, he then looked down the drive and saw a large dark cat
(he thought that it was black but couldn't be certain) the cat looked directly
at him then moved off across the drive, crossing the lane into an adjacent
field. He said that during the period of time that the cat looked at him, his
dog which is quite a large Alsation, never made a move towards the cat.
We then received a separate report from a
couple who were walking on Thursday 4th Feb this year on parkland near to
Staunton Harold. As they entered a wood, they heard a terrifyingly loud Cat
like noise, a bit like a wild cat. This noise was so loud and unusual, that
they became very concerned for their safety, and abandoned their walk,
retreating rapidly to their car
Its interesting to note the two
sightings proximity, there have been Panthers and Pumas seen in the area, and
the first could have been either cat as the colours were not clear in the dark.
The animal heard recently would have been a Puma or even Lynx and not a
Panther, as the sound of a cat is only made by these and not Panthers. They
make much deeper rasping or coughing type low frequency noise.
There have also been reports of large amounts
of small mammal kills and unusual activity / strange behaviour of domestic dogs
on walks in the area around Billesdon. Also two ladies walking their Labrador
dogs in the area, on 24th Jan noticed a large black cat like animal in the
field. They said it was not a dog, and that their own became agitated
and acted out of character.
This area is only a few miles
East of the November sightings in a barn of a Panther at Houghton, and is 7
miles east of Leicester. Also an area of previous reports form a couple of
years.
The following are a selection of
reports for this year from our member, Chris covering the West Leicestershire
area.
A man from Coalville, saw what
he first thought was a fox, then realising it wasn’t as the face of the Animal
was more flat like a cats, he couldn’t believe his eyes as it crossed the Railway
Tracks and looked at him, he was with his dog. The cat then jumped a 10’
wall at the rear of a Fish & Chip shop. At: 19:30hrs. on the 9
January 2000.
He rang me that night and I was only 3 hours
from the sighting spending half the night trying to follow the possible route
the animal took with camera in one hand, and spotlight in the other.
Description is as follows:
- Size 18ins high, 2ft
long, tail 14ins. Build Cat like. Colour Tan / Ginger.
- His own description Puma
/ Cougar. Visibility Very clear.
Another man from Shepshed says that he was
driving at approx. 07:20hrs up Charley Road near the Windmill, in
Oaks in Charnwood during January of 2000. When in the
distance he saw what appeared to be two lights, but as he approached he came to
realise that these ‘lights’ were eyes of a large creature.
He compared this animal to the height of his car
bonnet. The ‘light’ had been caused by the animals eyes being reflected off
of his headlights.
The animal then darted in front of his car
causing him to brake sharply.
Description is as follows:
- Size 2.5ft high, 5ft
long. Build Big and strong. Colour Dark / Black.
- His own description Some
sort of wild cat. Visibility Average.
A lady in Loughborough. Said she
sighted a "HUGE black cat" in the suburbs, illuminated by a street
light. The animal crossed the road opposite, where it cleared a 3½-ft wall. It
then headed towards a dustbin in the side garden before clearing the same wall
again. The animal then headed towards a neighbours house in the road, where at
that time there was a wide opening of approx. 6 - 8 ft leading towards the back
garden of the house, before heading in the direction of Canal Bank.
This happened on several occasions and was witnessed by both the lady and her
husband. On one particular occasion the couple tried to film the animal,
but instead ended up recording the street light, the rest of the picture wasn’t
very clear and you couldn’t see the animal, as it was to dark for the film.
The couple went on holiday to Australia in
January of 2000 and have not seen the animal again since they returned home.
Description is as follows: -
- Size 18ins high, 22ins
long, 18ins tail. Build Heavy, muscles firm, strong, agile.
- Colour Black. Her own
description HUGE cat or Smallish Panther. Visibility Excellent.
January 01 / 2000
A lady from Whitwick reported to have seen a large
black cat in the morning the size of a (in her own words) "Shetland
Pony" at the side of the road, in Thringstone near Coalville as
she drove by on her way home.
It appeared to be tearing something up
she thought maybe a bird,
January ?? / 2000
Another lady rang on behalf of her mother
when she saw what she most positively described as a Black Panther
as it jumped over the wall next-door into a churchyard in Coalville
she said what stuck out the most was it’s body & tail.
January 24 / 2000
Another lady from Whitwick went out
into the garden at night to see to her cats she said she heard a growling
noise coming from behind the trellis work. he immediately recognised
this sound as the sound of a cat warning to keep her distance and stay
away, as she heard this sound before with other cats. But it was far more amplified
than the sound of a domestic Moggie. Also her cats were hissing and
spitting, they were terrified. Then she heard the fence go
crash at the back and all gradually returned to normal. The following day
she returned to the scene only to find that the wooden fence with a 4x4
post though partly rotten had completely broken. The gap
between the fence and the field on the back was approx. 5ft including a rather
deep ditch and 3ft Mesh fence.
Also she later informed me that one of her
cats was in season and smelt rather strongly.
The husband had also seen the Large Ginger
coloured cat that had previously been seen in the centre of Coalville
one day whilst out driving in that area.
February 05 / 2000
A sighting this time by myself Chris
Mullins, of a panther type animal.
As I was driving along a rather long country
road in Whitwick, at 15:25hrs travelling SW towards Oaks in
Charnwood, I saw a large black feline figure the size of a Labrador
and build of a Rottweiler. This appeared to be stalking some crows
in a field next to the Woods.
The sighting was only for a split second,
as I drove by the gateway then I lost sight of it as the trees blocked my
vision! I stopped the car and reversed back (remembering to look in my
rearview mirror first) of cause, but it had gone. I immediately stopped the car
and ran out into the field but there was no trace, also prior to me stopping
the car, all the crows took flight.
I rang the nearest of our members, as the cat
seemed to be heading that way but he wasn’t at home that day. There had been a
sighting around this particular area before, in January of this
year, but the sighte’e has requested confidentiality so I will go no
further.
More reports for February 2000
The "Rutland Times" ran an article
on a Lynx sighting on the edge of Oakham at a new estate. The resident of
standing in the community, has observed and heard on several occasions, a Lynx
type Cat using his garden as a short cut. The animal comes from a large nearby
wood to some allotments and the new house is built on its preferred route. The
Cat has been observed scaling the 5 foot side gate and paw prints claw marks
are on the gate. Print casts have been taken, and from the photos I have seen,
can say that they are of small (Big Cat" either a young Panther/ Puma or
adult Lynx)
I now have confirmation that the animal was
indeed a Lynx and had short tail etc and the witness knows what the various
wildlife and Big Cats look like.
The last Lynx report in
Rutland, was in Oakham in summer 98, although we do sometimes get smallish cats
that don't match a Panther or Puma with Lynx features (long tufted pointed
ears, tabby to light brown coat very short tail)
We are also looking at various reports of a
large (male?) Alsation sized black cat in the area between Oakham and Leicester
seen this month, also more sightings in Somerby of a smaller Labrador size cat,
possibly brown but with pointed ears (Lynx?)
Two more reports have come in from the Market
Harborough area, one at the end of Jan this year was of a large Panther like
cat which was seen close to the town with part of a sheep in its mouth, the
animal dropped the remains in the road when it saw the car. The driver got a
good close look at the creature. Cat like with heavy head, long tail and about
Labrador size but longer
Another report in early Feb, from 5 miles
North West of this was of a Panther type cat. The driver (a special Police
constable) again getting a very good view of the cat
A report was received of a Panther sighing on
the freight railway that runs through Corby, Northants. A worker was crossing
the railway bridge at 21-20 on Friday 11-02-00 when he observed a large black
cat about Alsation size walking on the line below. It had a long 2 foot tail
and was illuminated by the railway yard lights as it ambled towards the tunnel.
He called the police on his mobile but Northants Police did not respond (they
don't have a set procedure to log and investigate reports unlike Leics Police)
This report is just 1/ mile
from the Euro hub sighting at Xmas and 1/2 mile from last years sighting by 3
workers of a Panther like cat up a tree on the old quarry.
A good report came in last night (22 Feb)of a
sighting that night near the Oaks in Charnwood crossroads, to the South West of
Loughborough.
A lady and her mother were driving at 17-50
hrs along the road near the M1 motorway bridge in Charnwood forest when a large
black cat crossed in front. It was the size of a Labrador with long tail and
definitely a Big Cat. The animal did not rush and ambled up the adjacent field
as the startled witnesses looked on. What was also remarkable was that lady's
son was driving close behind and also saw the same thing.
This report is only 1/4 mile
from previous reports at nearby Charley and within a few miles of the Whitwick
and Thringstone hot spots. All in the North West of Leicestershire.
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR MARCH 2000
Two reports received this week of recent
sightings. One is of a Panther like black cat seen near Broughton Astley in
South Leics (details to be confirmed).
The other was by a friend of my wife's who
saw a large cat, Labrador size and black, crossing the ring road on the west
edge of Peterborough, near the ferry meadows country park. . She got a good
view of the animal as it crossed into undergrowth.
Both these are in areas of
previous reports the Peterborough animal having been seen on numerous occasions
over the last few years.
Report received today of a good sighting of a
Panther like Big Cat at Gallows Hill, north of Market Harborough. Seen clearly
at mid morning on Monday 6th March by 3 witnesses, the animal was described as
about the size of an Alsation dog, black with long tail and very cat like.
This sighting is only yards from
a sighting there a couple of years ago on the adjacent canal towpath. It is
also only half a mile or so from where a Cat was seen with part of a sheep in
its mouth in January this year.
Report received of a sighting on 14th March
of a large black cat, as big or bigger than Alsation, crossing the A50 by the
Glenfield Roundabout to the North West of Leicester. The Man was delivering
newspapers at 04-30 and got a clear view in the street lights of the Cat.
Also on the same day, a large black cat,
about Labrador size crossed the churchyard at 07-00 in the morning at Great
Dalby, 3 miles South of Melton.
A report was also received of a large
Alsation size black cat crossing the A47 Leics Peterborough road at Billesedon
on the 15th March, the driver got a clear view at 06-30 in the morning as the
animal crossed the road.
It is apparent from the timings
that all these sightings are of different cats, the 2 seen on the same day were
different sizes and over 10 miles apart and within 2 1/2 hrs so not the same
animal/. The Billesdon cat was also different to the closet sigting at
Billesedon and does not fir the movement patterns. Given that we have had
reports in that are last month, it is unlikely that the cat has moved away, and
is not the one involved at Dalby and North Leicester. Also the Leicester
sighting is only 1/2 mile from the Police patrol sighting on the M1 last July
of a smaller black cat, possibly young female.
A frustrating report was received by chance
this week from a lorry driver, who is certain he encountered a road kill of a
Panther on the A14 link road near to the M1. He was driving in early Feb at
05-30 in the morning when he came across the body of a large animal in the 1st
lane of the dual carriageway. He was going quite slow and noticed it was black
with some brown and definitely a cat, about Alsation size. He was unable to
stop due to no pull ins and did not know who to report it to. He felt that with
the amount of freight traffic, it would have been quickly smashed up and
nothing remain, as it was not on the grass verge. We have not heard any other
reports on this but it is not used a popular route for Leics vehicles, so we
may not get to hear.
We also learnt this week of the sad death of
John Foden, former Drayton Manor Zoo manager and Panther expert. John worked
closely with ourselves providing expert advice and featured on many TV
documentaries on the Cats, always reassuring the Public as to the little threat
these creatures present.
I am pleased to say that Robin Roberts has
taken over his place at the zoo and is as keen to help and work on this
research as John was. He is spurred on in this, in that he actually encountered
a wild Puma whilst driving on the A42 near to East Midlands Airport in January
this year in broad daylight. He said it was remarkable as a Big Cat expert to
observe such an animal near to a busy road. This ties in with the strange and
frightening cat sounds, a couple heard walking in woods at nearby Staunton
Harold around that time which we thought was a Puma and not a Panther.
Reports also received of clear sightings of
Panthers at Broughton Astley, South of Leicester and Higham on the A5 near to
Nuneaton (north of Coventry) Both these were recent and on disused railway
lines
Two reports were received this week. The first was
from Sunday 19th March at 12-20 (lunch time). A couple driving in Breedon On
The Hill, north West Leics were getting out the vehicle near the church when
they saw at very close quarters, a spaniel size black cat. The animal was very
"fluffy" and had a long "S" shape tail. The animal did not
seem bothered and they attempted to coax it to them by calling it!. It
eventually slinked off, but although it was cat like, it did not move like a
domestic cat would.
The second report was from Groby Pool, on the
North West edge of Leicester. On Tuesday 21st March at 15-30, another couple
were walking back to their car, near the beauty spot, when they saw a black,
dog size cat standing opposite on the quarry earthworks. This was about 20
metres from their position. The animal was about spaniel to labrador size and
had a fluffy coat and long tail, cat like head. The animal was seen for a short
while before it moved away from view.
Both these reports are from areas of
previous Panther reports, the last one being only 1/2 mile from where a Panther
crossed the A50 at the Glenfield roundabout last week.
We have also heard of Big Cat sightings to
the south of Market Harborough in Northants, along the old Brampton valley
railway country park near Arthingworth, although one report suggests a large
Panther like cat, but with no tail! (may have lost part in an accident?)
Also reports of a sighting at Lount, close to
the Breedon report, no details as yet
There was also a photo taken by a resident of
an alleged Big Cat up tree in Oakham printed in the "Rutland Times"
this week. Although it was taken in an area of Lynx and Panther sightings and
the witness had seen the animal before, the picture is not clear enough even to
determine if the creature is alive or a cardboard cutout, so the jury is out on
that one I am afraid.
We have just received a glut of reports
in today from Leicstershires and Rutland Police. A lot relate to Big Cat
reports around the Coalville and Elistown areas for January and February this
year. Some notable ones are:
1st March, A night security guard on a
building site at Appleby Magna, near Ashby De La Zouch, North West Leics,
phones 999 in a very distressed state after comming face to face with a large
black Alsation size Big Cat. The guard requested police protection as he was so
afraid of the animal and feared for his life. He is reassured that the animal
will not harm him and it was not seen again
Note that this sighting is only
a mile or so from the sighting of a Puma on the A42 by the Drayton Zoo keeper.
2nd March, 2 men out to the East of Leicester
in the Keyham area, are using night sights to hunt rabbits, when they confront
two large Panthers. Both as big as greyhounds and black. They were both very
scared and quickly return to their vehicles, both independently phone
999. Again they are reassured by the Police that the animals are not thought to
be dangerous.
It is very rare to get a report
of two cats together, but to be expected as they are definitely breeding. It is
interesting to note that the sighting is only a mile or so from the farm where
a Panther was thought to have made a den in November.
7th March, A lady comes across a large light
sandy coloured cat at 23-00 near Bottesford in the Vale of Belvoir (15 miles
north of Melton) The animal crosses in front of her car, and she said it was
bigger than the size of a sheep and the height of her car bonnet.
We have not had many Big Cat
reports in the Vale area for some while now, and not a Puma since Feb 99.
Today, we also had a report from South Leics
direct from a lady who came across a Panther like cat this week on Tuesday 28th
. She was driving at 21-10 by the Bruntingthorpe airfield complex (home to the
famous preserved Vulcan bomber), when a large cat crossed in front of her car
and stopped in the road. She stopped her car and the animal with green piercing
eyes stared her out. She said it was bigger than her own Alsation and was black
with cat head. Due to the way it stared her out, she felt alarmed and turned
her car round and went the other way around the airfield!
This report was very clear, and
the lady was very shaken by her experience. The cat was only a mile from the
report of a Panther at Shearsby by a special policeman earlier this year.
Footnote. This year has seen a huge
increase on reported sightings over previous years, and the animals are now
getting very close to witnesses, often making them feel very scared and in
fear, often phoning 999!
If April is a busy, we will have a hectic
time keeping up! And with definite signs of breeding, some cub reports should
come in.
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR APRIL 2000
We have received unsubstantiated reports that
either a Panther or Puma is active in the Exton area of Rutland, just north of
Rutland Water reservoir. Also the Bitteswell area of South Leics (Lutterworth).
At this time (10th April), they cannot be confirmed.
The latest report is from the Keyham lane
area of East Leicester. The witness clearly watched a large Panther like black
cat walking down the lane next to parked cars at 21-00 on 30th March,
illuminated by street lamps. The animal was as big as an Alsation but very cat
like, it walked down through the cars on the residential lane and into a side
road. The witness also said that his neighbours had been disturbed by very
strange cat like sounds for some nights around the time.
This report ties in with the
March reports of two Panthers together near to Keyham lane. We also heard from
a farmer who saw a Panther clearly in December near to Keyham lane and close to
the farm at Houghton where the animal(s) were thought to have made a den by the
RSPCA.
Another report just in is from the 17th March
of a Panther like Big Cat at the side of the A47 Leicester to Peterborough
trunk road, at Glaston, in Rutland. The witness said he was driving in traffic
at 23-45 and clearly saw the cat waiting for a traffic break to cross the road,
on top of the Glaston railway tunnel. He slowed down but was too scared to stop
and get a closer look, he said it was bigger than his Doberman dog, with a long
tail, very cat like and definitely a Big Cat.
This is the first Rutland
Panther report for some time and is interesting, as it is only 5 miles from
Corby where it was seen (11-02-00) actually walking on the same railway that
runs under the A47.
Report of a sighting at Sheepy Woods,
Twycross, NorthWest Leics. Panther type cat seen about 7th April. Also seen in
area 2weeks before.
There were a lot of reports at
Sheepy and near Twycross Zoo last year and the previous years. I believe that
the zoo has some Big Cats, but not Panthers or Pumas, but this may attract the
wild Panthers as occurs elsewhere.
Panther seen at Foxton, South Leics on good
Friday, 21st April. A builder from the village was driving on the Foxton Gumley
road at 11-30 in the morning when a Labrador sized black cat crossed in front
of his truck, and appeared to pounce on something in the hedgerow. He got a
very clear look and was amazed that it was a Panther. Very long tail and cat
very cat like actions. It was by the Foxton Locks car park and it disappeared
into the hedge.
The witness was surprised that
it was so close to the busy tourist attraction, but time and again, we have
seen this occur. The cats are not at all bothered by being in a human
environment and almost seem attracted to tourist places. This sighting is in a
hot spot of sightings over the last 4 years around Market Harborough
A Panther was seen at Bruntingthorpe airfield
again on 23 April at Midnight. The animal loped across the road near where it
was seen by a witness in March. It was jet black and Labrador dog size, with
very long tail. Went into the industrial estate.
I spoke to the security at the
airfield and although they have not seen a cat, they have a lot of Muncjack
deer on the massively wooded site (ex USAF base and home to the last airworthy
Vulcan bomber). These deer are known favourite food of the Panthers and Pumas.
The cats are also known to scavenge form bins in gardens and industrial estates
etc.
A very interesting report has just come in
about Panther sighting in Leicester. They are near the old railway on
Spencefield lane, East Leicester, only a couple of miles from the city centre.
The house is in an exclusive area and has very large gardens and trees, and the
owner of good standing, has seen the animal 4 times now over the last few
months. He was alarmed at first but now is hoping to film it as it competes
with the urban foxes for food.
This report is only 1/2 mile
from the Keyham Lane reports early this month, and also only 1/4 mile form the
sighting some years ago on Colchester road allotments. The old railway runs
into Leicester form Houghton on The Hill where the farm was staked out by the
RSPCA and Police to try to catch a Panther in November last year
Report received from the 19th April . A lady
was walking her Lurcher dog on Watermead country park, on the Northern edge of
Leicester at 07-30 in the morning. She came face to face with a very large
Panther. The dog was petrified and froze still but the Panther was not bothered
and walked on. She said it was bigger than a large dog, beautiful with velvet
black fur and long tail.
This report is only a mile or
so from previous sightings and is on the canal system that runs through
Leicester that links to Abbey park in the centre (sightings there previously)
It is only a few miles from the Spencefield and Keyham lane reports. Again, we
have a sighting in an area where lots of members of the public walk their dogs,
and again despite being close, the cat did not show any aggression to the owner
or dog. We have spoken to the park ranger, and he was not surprised as he saw a
Panther himself near his home in the "hotspot" area of Burrough on
the Hill. He was very critical of the government policy of denial that these
creatures exist.
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR MAY 2000
The sightings log is a bit bare at present
due to telephone problems on our reporting line which will be resolved by mid
May hopefully!!! (BT willing)
We are still able to get emails and I am informed
of a reliable daytime sighting over Easter of a pair of Panthers at Heather,
North West Leics. A gentleman saw the animals twice over two days on land near
the brick-works and a disused railway. They were black, very cat like and much
bigger than his Alsation cross dogs. He is certain that they were Panthers.
The area of this latest report
is close to Measham and Twycross, both areas of intense activity of Panthers
and Pumas over the last 5 years
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR JUNE 2000
With the reporting line back on, June should
hopefully be better than May.
At the end of May, we received a report
relating to a Panther sighting on the East of Rutland. The lady who lives on
the North of Stamford on the Lincs / Rutland border had a clear sighting of a
large black cat, of very large dog size on Tuesday 30th May. The lady was
driving near the main East Coast railway at Baholm when she noticed the animal
in her mirrors cross the road behind her. She stopped and watched it go into a
high crop of OSR where it was lost. She phoned her husband to look out of the
house window but it had gone from view. She is certain it was a very large cat,
resembling a Panther. The sighting was at 18-30 in good visibility.
Also, we had a report from a nurse of a
Panther sighting on the A47 near the Billesdon turn in May at 03-00 in the
morning. This was close to previous sightings this year there.
An as yet unconfirmed report also came in of
a Panther sighting in Charnwood forest at Swithland on 7th June
On the 15th June, a good sighting was made of
a large Panther near Long Clawson in the Vale of Belvoir, North Leics. A local
villager saw the creature at a very close distance (5 feet)in his car and being
country born and bred, was amazed to encounter the animal that everyone was talking
about. He said it was definitely a very large black cat, bigger than a large
dog. Not a badger or fox or deer!!
The following block of reports came in at the end of the month from the Police and other sources
Middle of May, the parking warden from Oakham
saw big black cat cross A47 At the Tilton turn while he was driving to work
Numerous reports at this point
over the years, one in the spring this year.
Sun 11th June family on way to
Saddington (7 miles south of Leicester) car boot sale saw a Panther. It went
into woods but came out again , bigger than labrador,
About 12th June at 3pm, a Panther like cat
seen nr Dalby woods (Ab Kettleby-Ragdale) It stood in gateway dark color patchy
(more like Drayton Manor zoo panthers)
Gt Glen, (southern edge of Leicester) Police
called after two sightings in garden of house. The owners son also saw a
Panther like cat earlier in year at night at nearby Glen Gorse on the A6. The
animal walked in shadow side of rd, crossing over where the street lamps
changed sides!!
June 15th 6 pm Man driving
from Six Hills (old salt rd to Holwell ) North West of Melton. Cat crossed road
from Saxilby towards Greenhill, Netherbroughton. Car travelling 50 mph
300 yds at first sighting then 5yds at nearest. Jet black 4 ft long body plus
2ft long horizontal tail loped like big cat was definitely a Panther (6.1.95 police log sightings at nearby Wartnerby and Old Dalby).
Fri 23rd June Harlaxton Vale of
Belvoir Jet black Panther size of Labrador seen loping along
Sat 24 June 8:30 am Lady travelling in
car on M69 motorway (South West of Leicester) near junction 1 before Hinckley
turn –off. She, husband and daughter saw jet black shining coat cat running
through 2 ft high cornfield big cat was 1ft higher than the corn. It was 4ft
long had 2ft long cuvy tail.tail very muscular shoulders and square-shaped
face. Definitely a black leopard, oblivious to the nearby traffic They were
approximately 40ft from cat
Sat 24 June 1200 noon. A man on the Nene
valley steam railway Peterboro to Wansford train saw big cat travelling
fast in opposite direction 3ft 6" long smokey grey clearing 4 ½ ft in
clover field bottom of station rd Caster near Wansford (East of
Peterborough)reported to police,
Sat 24th June between 1.30 pm and
5 pm. A market gardener at Kibworth found on his 2 acre stock proofed
mkt garden a still warm leg and tail of fox left on compost heap. He felt he
probably disturbed a Panther when attempting to bury it. All wild rabbits have
disappeared in the area. and he has found bits of rabbits also crows wing over
4 month periods for past 9 yrs. Land next to main railway.
There have been lots of reports
both recent and past around the whole area between Leicester and Market
Harborough. Panthers are known to take foxes (no other predators of the fox
exist in the UK!) and are also known to hide food for later. And certainly make
use of the railways as a source of food and easy access along the embankments
which are heavily covered with scrub
Wed 28 June. Tues night, a lady from a big
house in Keyham (3 miles East of Leicester) saw her macho domestic cat totally
spooked. The cat would only stay out for 5mins in the day after previously
staying out all night. Neighbours cat also trembled . The next day at 5:00 am ,
she saw an enormous cat in her garden. At least 3x normal cat size, about size
of munkjac deer. 18-20 inches high dark browny black with thick fur went down
rd to Snows Lane.
This report is bang in the
middle of intense activity over the last year and was close to recent double
sightings of Panthers (indicating breeding) The sighting fits the description
of a year old cub as this years would still be quite small. The thick fur being
noteworthy as is the browner coat. All signs of a young Panther.
Wed 28 th June 6 pm A man at South Riding,
Sibson Rd near Sheepy Parva saw a big black cat in field next to garden 40 yds
away about 2 ft high with very long tail
Lots of reports in this area
and nearby Twycross over the years. The nearby Twycross zoo don't have any
Pumas or Panthers but they do have other big cats
Fri 30th June 8.15 am A man
driving on country lane at Wittering (north of Peterborough near A1) saw jet
black cat about 10 yards away Body at least 4ft 2ft long tail curved up at end
went into field of rape,
Note this is only 2 miles from
the report on the Nene valley railwayon the 24th June
Fri 30th June 2,30am Betmill Court
centre Melton nr Safeway store. A Husband and wife saw Panther like big cat lay
down in alleyway then suddenly race off at speed .
Although in the centre of
Melton, there is plenty of access in for cats along the river and disused
railway and there have been reports for years all around the edge of the town
SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS FOR JULY 2000
Mon 3rd July 4.35am Sarson Close
Asfordby (4 miles West of Melton). Large Panther like car seen 200 yds away
going away on land reclamation area
Wednesday 5th July. Unbelievably, a Panther
like cat was seen less than 200 yards from my own home!!
A couple were walking there dog at 21-30 (not
quite dark) on the small lane that leads into the hills South of Oakham when
the cat like animal walked out in front of them. It walked ahead and then went
back into the field of rape and disappeared. They said it was black, cat like
but as big as a fox and had long curved tail.
Needless to say, I have spent the last few evenings all around
the area on watch with the night sight camera to no avail! It really is just
luck if you are in the right place at the right time as these creatures
constantly move about the area. But one day, someone will get a really good
picture or video of one as the ultimate proof. There are so many people keeping
an eye out now and carrying cameras
Its interesting to note that
there have not been any recent reports of animals within 8 miles to this area so
which direction it moved in from is not known. It is also only yards from where
a young Puma / Lynx like animal was seen last summer on the school playground.
Another block of reports has come in
some from last month Wed 28th June 5.15 am Coventry Black
animal edge rd Coundon heading for Tamworth rd On opposite side rd crossed rd
to grass Good visibility was coming from direction of dog kennels kept looking
round Size of domestic cat but extremely long tail curled up at end and thick
fur of animal possibly a cub.
Wed 28th June approx green track
Great Glen to Newton Harcourt (Kibworth area) own dog froze –thought was great
Dane 3ft high
Thurs 28 th June 9 pm Churchill rd
Thurmaston.(North Leicster) Husband and wife saw big animal with red
eyes looking in on them, Jet black Shone torch on it stopped and looked round
at them They feed urban foxes and have 2 fish ponds and are near the main
railway. Twycross Zoo confirmed leopards eyes reflect red/orange at night
1st Jul 1pm about 1 mile south of
Kibworth Harcourt, black labrador size cat with long tail seen
Fri 7th Jul 4pm Breedon Churchyard. Motorist
with old pensioner drove into churchyard 40-50 yds ahead –dry stone wall
overlooking golf course On wall thought was a plastic sack big cat jumped down
thick tail 18 inches wagging . when opened car door cat loped off Black shinny
big as Alsation but shorter legs –huge not domestic cat
Sat 8th Bardon chapel 18-00. A man observed a
large black cat like creature, thought to be a Panther in the grounds of the Chapel,
1 mile Leicester side of Coalville and next to the massive Bardon hills stone
quarry and railway sidings
Mon 10th July 11am Milk man
in Kibworth area delivering to cottages Saddington rd Smeeton Westerby Saw it
going through a field of sheep. The animal stood out from sheep walked through
gap in the flock Sheep appeared to be undisturbed by the animal. He turned the
van round saw big black cat walking through stile in hedge. As big as an
Alsation
10th July Markfield 16-15 A couple filling
their car up at the new petrol station saw a large black Panther like creature
in the adjacent field
This is only a mile from the
Bardon Chapel report on Saturday, and is only a couple of miles north of the
earlier reports at the County hall.
10th July Saffron lane 23-20 A man reported a
Panther, larger than an Alsation in the rear garden of a house on the Saffron
lane Estate, in South Leicester. The animal was in the rear garden and was
clearly seen in the security lights, sitting on the lawn as he opened the door.
The animal shot off and cleared a 7-foot fence backing onto playing fields and
the main Leicester / London railway. Apparently, the neighbours have also seen
the Panther and noticed that the normal urban foxes have disappeared. Members
of the mans family have also seen the creature
It is interesting to note that
the railway once again seems to be the main route for travelling into the
suburbs. At this point, there is plenty of cover along the banks and vast areas
of easy flat ground where the old tracks used to be.
The BBC contacted us yesterday on 17th July
regarding the suspicious killing of 5 sheep at Willoughby Waterlees, South
Leicestershire. Dad went out with them and investigated. However although the
sheep had all been killed in different fields, the pattern of attacks did not
fit that of a big cat which would only kill for food and not leave meat on the
carcasses. Both the police and vet thought that it was a pack of large dogs as
ourselves although the farmer was certain it was the work of a big cat
The BBC ran the report and
interview but stressed that we felt it was not a big cat (although they were in
the area). It should be noted that we have had very few attacks that are
definite cats in this area and that an animal went through a field of sheep
without them being concerned at Kibworth (about 7 miles away) on 10th July
!8th July 08-20 Another sighting in the
south of Leicester estates, this time in daytime 2 miles South of the Saffron
lane. A lady with her children was shocked to see a large black cat, of
Alsation size, come out of bushes on the Gilmorton estate and jog onto the
nearby old Great Central railway cycle way and fields. The animal was 2 foot
high with 2 foot tail and appeared to be wet (canal nearby). The lady was
alarmed that such animals were freely moving in and out of the city without any
authorities issuing warnings. We reassured her that there was little that can
be done, although it would help if USA style mountain Lion advice was issued by
the council in areas of activity just to be safe. She also spoke to the local
radio and press about her concerns
The old railway cycleway and
canal forms a green corridor right through to the center of Leicester and is a
known route for the animals to follow from the South Leics countryside into
Leicester City center.
Report in from 15th July at 08:45 Local
Husband wife and son observe a big jet black athletic cat jump from Sawgate
lane over hedge row. The animals had a long curled tail which ran close to the
ground. This is the lane between Burton Lazars and Stapleford, South East of
Melton and is very close to previous sightings last year
.20th July 05:40 Transport Manager at the
Long Clawson dairy in the Vale of Belvoir, saw a large black cat as big as an
Alsation. The animals had a long tail close to the ground and curled up at the
end. It glided across in front of him as he drove in to work approaching Long
Clawson
This is a very clear sighting
from a level headed responsible countryman, not in the habit of making things
up. It is also in the area of very recent sightings of a similar creature.
Also a second sighting came in for the 20th
July at 21:45 on Brooke hill Oakham (20 miles from Clawson) Animal was as big
as a Labrador, black very definate big cat.
This was the same couple that
saw a smaller animal on the 5th July but this was a lot bigger.
20th July 21:00 Today was a busy sightings
day with another report, this time from the East of Leicester. A man walking
his dog heard a large crashing noise in undergrowth on the Hungarton road,
Keyham then heard a galloping sound as a mottled tawny brown creature with
black markings came into view. It bounded into the next wheat field. About
twice height of Labrador dog, very stocky powerful. Not a Puma as the
man knows what they look like and its ears did not match. Thought it was an
unusually marked Panther.
Loads of Panther sightings in
this area but none of this brown creature.
24th July 20:30 Big panther like cat seen
from house 40 yrds away at Arnesby. South Leics. The animal was stretching
itself and had a long thick tail
Arnesby is only a mile from
Bruntingthorpe, (April) and also close to the reports in June and July around
Foxton and Saddington / Smeeton Westerby.
Also on 24th July. Senior Environmental
Officer nearly runs into a big Panther like cat on the Queniborough to Barsby
road. (5 miles north of Leicester) It was getting dusk but he could see it was
the size of an Alsation and definite big cat.
Another reliable witness, not
in the habit of telling Porkies and also fairly used to identifying native
species. Also another double report miles apart at the same time.
25th July 07-00 Report of Panther sighting in
the Vale of Belvoir at Stathern from bedroom window No further info.
26th July Tarbat road Thurnby Lodge estate
East Leicester. 00-30 hrs man sees a large black cat in garden. About 2 feet
tall and 5 feet long. He gets the odd urban fox in garden as well
Very close to previous
sightings on the East of Leicester and surrounding countryside at Keyham and
Scraptoft in March and April this year and also 20th this month.