Big Cat on the Prowl at Wallington
THE mystery of Castle Morpeth's hidden creatures deepened last week
when a tourist claimed to have spotted 'a giant black cat' in the
remote West of the Borough.
The Wallington Wildcat was sighted up a tree by the holidaymaker on
the quiet B6342 road between the estate and Rothbury.
He and his wife, who live in Derby, were touring the County for a week
and heading for Coquetdale for the day.
The shocked tourist told the 'Herald' of the morning encounter: "I saw
a huge black tail hanging from a tree. It was like something you would
see in the jungle.
"I knew straight away it was something like a black panther and we
stopped the car. I couldn't believe my eyes.
"I tried to get a photograph but it didn't come out. But I know what I
saw and this was no domestic cat."
The black panther is the common name for a black specimen of any of
several species of cats, generally leopards, pumas or jaguars.
They have been spotted in Britain for over 200 years, and are thought
to have been released or escaped from private collections or zoos.
• Have you seen the Wallington Wildcat? Call the 'Herald' newsdesk on
01670 517171 or e-mail morpeth.herald@northeast-press.co.uk
• Morpeth is no stranger to unexplained sightings in its secluded
countryside.
• The Pegswood Panther: The elusive animal has been spotted
intermittently for over five years on open land around the village.
In July 2000 in was glimpsed at nearby Hebron, Longhirst, Wingates and
Stannington.
Farmer Ian Coe almost knocked over the animal, which he described as
'extremely large and feline looking'. He was riding across one of his
fields on a motorbike. In total four people reported sightings of the
beast and each person gave almost identical descriptions.
• The Bolam Yeti: In January 2003 some fishermen friends caught sight
of far more than a few brown trout.
The three anglers had a terrifying encounter with an 8ft tall ape-like
creature in the dark.
The men, who had been pike fishing in the lake, were making their way
single file back to their car along the deserted wooden gangway that
threads through the woods, when one of them turned to talk to his friend.
He was amazed to see what looked like a dark figure standing behind
his companion, highlighted by the moonlight filtering through the trees.
The angler said at the time: "I was sure it was a person, the others
did not see it at first. I pointed towards the figure which was
heavily built, and its eyes, or what seemed to be eyes, glowed in the
darkness.
"We ran, top speed, all the way back to the car. I had a camera in my
bag, but the thought had not crossed my mind. I was too scared, I think."
Morpeth Herald: 8th November 2006
