Incredible moment a ‘big cat’ was spotted prowling through the grass at a picnic spot in Somerset
Mother and daughter took pictures of the animal on a camera phone to get a better look and were left shocked when it appeared to be a kind of big cat similar to a panther or jaguar
THIS is the incredible moment a family spotted a "big cat" prowling through the grass at a picturesque picnic spot.
A mum and her teenage daughter were enjoying the sunshine at Crowcombe Park Gate in the Quantock Hills in Somerset when she saw a "big black" animal.
The 32-year-old, who was with her 14-year-old daughter, said the sun was glinting off its fur as it skulked through the long grass metres in front of them.
She pointed her camera at the massive feline and zoomed in to get a better view, taking a photo to give herself a closer look.
By the time she looked up from her phone the creature - with a distinctive wide head, long tail and leg muscles - had disappeared from view.
The mum couldn't believe it when she inspected the photos at home and realised she had photographed a big cat-like creature on Saturday afternoon.
The Somerset mum, who didn't want to give her name, said: "We went for a drive and parked up in a quiet spot for a walk.
"At first I couldn't see a lot. I could see something big and shining in the sun. It looked like it was hiding. The sun was shining off it in the distance but the sun was in my eyes so I tried to look though camera on my phone.
"I zoomed right in but it made screen dark so couldn't see anything, so I just clicked hoping to get a pic. I didn't see it properly until I got home and looking at the pic bigger.
"I think it's a big cat - a panther type thing. All my family did when I showed them the photo. They couldn't believe it. It certainly looks like one."
She sent the photo to the BeastWatch UK group - a non-profit online organisation which collates reports of exotic wildlife.
Members speculated it could be two dogs, a bear, a boar or a horse - but many agreed it looked like a big cat, such as a panther or jaguar.
One person said: "Wow, this is the first time I've actually thought it could be a large feline. It's very jaguar panther shape, nice and chunky. Could do well in our climate too."
Another added: "I'm 99.9% that it's feline. Everything about it is like a melanistic jaguar."
But another wrote: "Possibly just two dogs. As Arthur Conan Doyle once said 'Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth'.
"I'm not saying it isn't one animal, but I will always look at the most likely first."
The Quantock Hills is classed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and has acres of heathland, woodlands, parklands and agricultural land.
Last year Avon and Somerset Police revealed they had been alerted to 13 sightings of big cats in Somerset, including panthers, lions and pumas.
The 'Beast of Wellington' - a black big cat - was last year blamed for a spike in domestic cat deaths in nearby Wellington, Somerset.
Hundreds of terrified walkers have seen big cats prowling the British countryside in recent years – sparking fears the beasts are breeding.
There have been 455 sightings logged by police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland between 2010 and 2015.
It is estimated 2,000 of the beasts are seen each year, with most of the sightings not officially logged.
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