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On the Prowl for North-East’s Big Cats By Felicity Collinson

The Northern Echo: 4th December 2006

The Northern Echo
   
Wildlife experts are hoping to unravel the mystery of a legendary “big cat” in the region.
Sightings of panthers and pumas in the North-East have been reported for decades.
But whether or not the elusive creatures really roam around the countryside is still unknown.
Jonathan Pounder, of Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, and Hartlepool Borough Council’s countryside wardens held a Path of the Panther walk, in Hartlepool, yesterday to reveal some of the sightings reported over the years.
Ian Bond, of Hartlepool Council and a Northumbrian Mammal Group member, is co-ordinating all the sightings in an effort to solve the mystery.
Mr Pounder said: “I saw one of these big cats crossing a filed near Seaham about ten years ago.
“There have been up to a dozen reported sightings in the area, but it is likely they have been others that have gone unreported because people are probably worried about being ridiculed.
People have reported strange experiences like their dogs refusing to walk along the path, or have found unusual killings.
“A dead sheep was found up in a tree near Wynward Woodland Park, which is a characteristic of a panther. No native wildlife would do that.”
He also recounted the story of a Hartlepool council worker who saw a large black cat run across the A689 in front of him.
Mr Pounder said: “The man did not report it at the time, but a couple of months later somebody else saw it at exactly the same spot.
“They both gave identical descriptions of a creature with a heavy set tail, about the size of a Labrador.”
Yesterday’s five-mile walk went through areas where there have been sigghtings and evidence has been found.
“It was a good little walk, so we want to try and repeat it in the summer and get more people to come along,” said Mr Pounder.
- Have you seen any big cats in the region? If so, write to tees_valley_mammal@msn.com with details of your sightings and experiences.

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.

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