Huge ‘black panther’ big cat spotted prowling in woods could be the real deal, says expert
A HUGE 'black panther' spotted in Gloucestershire could be the real deal.
Experts say the big cat, last seen roaming the countryside in Stroud, "exhibits all the features" of one - and there could be many more across the UK.
The mystery animal caught the attention of a man out walking who noticed its long black tail and distinctive feline movement.
He was taking a stroll near Ham Mill Lane in the village of Thrupp just outside the town walking through a field which is surrounded by trees.
The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, managed to snap a picture of the creature when it was just 100 yards away.
He said: "Unsure what the animal was but it was certainly feline in its movement.
"My first thought was that it was a family dog that had maybe got out so initially I wasn’t scared at all, but once I realised what it could be I snapped a couple of pics and quickly retreated.
"I’ve never seen an animal like it before but it seems plausible that a large cat could be roaming the countryside.
"It seemed to be playful and completely unaware of me in the minute or so that I observed it."
There have been other sightings of similar 'big cats' in the area, some close to this one.
In 2018, Guillaume Lyons, 40 from neighbouring Brimscombe, claimed he saw a big cat - as large as a labrador but as slim as a Dalmatian.
And more recently, several animal carcasses have been discovered in Minchinhampton and Whitminster - around five miles from Stroud - which are believed to be victims of a big cat kill.
Yesterday's 'big cat' spotter said: "I have heard that there have been similar sightings around the Stroud area.
"I decided I had to take the picture because I didn’t think anyone would believe me.
"Two colleagues were with me but didn’t see the animal for themselves as they were working a few metres from me, they were in disbelief at the pictures."
The man added: "I’ve no intention of going to find the creature again but I do regularly work in the area so I will most definitely be making sure I’ve got my wits about me whilst working."
Big cat enthusiast Frank Tunbridge said the pictures are some of "the best" he has ever seen.
And the 73-year-old is convinced it could really be a black panther.
Mr Tunbridge, from Gloucester, said: "This photo taken in the Stroud area of Gloucestershire exhibits all the features of an Asian melanistic black leopard, sometimes referred to as a black panther.
"The long tail with a slight tuft on the end is diagnostic to leopards, however this photo reveals a creature that has adapted to living and hunting fast moving deer in the UK.
"It is slim, streamlined, long legged, with a smallish head, but still an efficient predator which has the tools for the job, with the teeth and claws.
"This particular type of British big cat, like the one in the photo, reflects at least 80 per cent of the sightings that I have received over the years and if genuine now gives credence to either natural adaptation of a species, or a hybrid animal now breeding true to type and living and breeding within the British Isles."
'EXHIBITS ALL THE FEATURES'
It follows a string of other big cat sightings across the UK.
One is feared to be on the prowl near the I'm A Celeb castle after paw prints were found in the grounds.
Footprints thought to be made by a big cat have been spotted in the woods surrounding the Grade I listed 19th-century country house Trelogan, Wales.
And another alleged sighting of a huge black cat - known as the 'Pontybodkin Puma' - was reported at the castle in November last year when the hit ITV show was being filmed.
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A beast was also reportedly seen stalking the area last month.
Footage taken in West Sussex in January appeared to show a black panther on the prowl.
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Joshua-Levi Bennett, 24, who filmed it near Ashurst, said: "It was definitely a big cat. It was prowling with intent."
And a dog walker saw a cat "twice the size of a German Shepherd" in Lopen, Somerset.