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Evidence of Big Cat
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Evidence of Big Cat
Ian Bond (left)
EXPERTS may have uncovered evidence pointing to the existence of
Hartlepool's legendary "big cat".
The remains of a sheep were found by walkers taking part in the Path
of a Panther walk. Its woolly coat had been shredded into a circle in
the corner of a farmer's field on the outskirts of Elwick, but its
carcass was nowhere to be seen. Wildlife experts say the sheep could
have died of natural causes, been eaten by birds or foxes and then
removed by human hands. But walkers could not rule out the possibility
that the sheep may have been killed by a panther, inset, or puma that
has allegedly stalked Hartlepool's countryside for decades.
Jonathan Pounder, project officer for Tees Valley Wildlife Trust,
said: "The walk was really good and I'm not trying to big it up but
there was a sheep that had been killed in the corner of one of the
fields just outside Elwick. "The sheep's coat had been pulled out in a
circular shape around where its body had lain. "It could have died of
natural causes and things like crows have had a go at the carcass, or
it could have been killed by a big cat. "We can't say yes and we can't
say no, so the mystery continues." He added: "We also saw a little
domestic cat crouching in a reed bed so we had a good laugh at that.
"Some people were convinced the big cat exists while others remained
open-minded." Four walkers went on the walk on Sunday, which had been
organised by the trust and Hartlepool Borough Council, as previewed by
the Mail on Friday.
Hartlepool Mail: 6th December 2006
Do you have any information on the above reports. Were you the person involved, or are you aware of any more sightings in this area. We would appreciate any information that you could give us.
