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1995 Sighting Adds to Panther Mystery
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1995 Sighting Adds to Panther Mystery
Stafford Post: 5th June 2008
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The Beast of Bodmin, the Loch Ness Monster - and now the Western Downs
panther?
Stafford could soon be on the map as the location of one of nature's
great mysteries - after an ex-forces man told us he had encountered a
fully-grown big cat in the town.
And Chris Fry's eye-witness testimony comes following reports from
other Post readers who believe 'something' has been targeting deer on
Cannock Chase - after mutilated and stripped carcasses were found there.
Speaking exclusively to the Post Chris Fry, 42, from Gnosall, relived
the two occasions when he saw a big cat on Sundown Drive.
"I used to live in Western Downs and I've spent most of my life
outdoors enjoying the natural world," he said.
"By sheer chance, I observed a panther - and no mistake about it
-loping along the road."
The ex-RAF man said both sightings occurred within a week of each
other in 1995.
"They were at the same location, near the embankment on Sundown
Drive," he said. "And I viewed it between six and 20ft away on
respective sightings at about 4 -4.30am - luckily from a car on my way
to work."
Mr Fry immediately informed the police, after stopping his car in
shock. "It was, and is, after all, a very dangerous animal."
He described the Western Downs beast: "The panther was a fully-grown
specimen - its tail was about as fat as a deodorant can, it wasn't at
all nervous and it loped slowly across the main road as I stopped my
car to watch it."
Last week Pye Green resident Julie Mason told us how she had stumbled
upon a deer carcass while out walking with her family on Cannock
Chase. Its antlers and legs were missing.
"I do think there's something nasty out there - I just don't know
what," she said.
Chris Fry agreed: "I know my sighting was a while ago but these
animals have a long lifespan and it could easily have roamed this far.
"Over the years I've seen numerous dead and decomposed deer on the
Chase. I wouldn't be at all surprised if a panther had taken a few."
*What's your view? Have you seen the Western Downs panther? Could there
be big cats on the Chase? Contact the Post on 01785 212370 or write to
us at 35 Eastgate Street, Stafford, ST16 2LZ. Alternatively, email
stafford_post@mrn.co.uk.
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.
Have your say on the forum.