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Fear of Big Cat on the Prowl After Sighting

The Blackpool Gazette: 2nd August 2008

The Blackpool Gazette
   
A BIG cat has been seen on the prowl in Wyre.
The 3ft tall animal, which looks like a puma, gave Pilling gamekeeper Allan Newsham, 31, a big shock when it leapt to its feet and pounced into nearby woodland.
Allan, who works at the Hy-Fly game hatchery, thought it was a black bin liner lying on the ground yesterday but when he went to pick it up, the black cat leapt to its feet and made for the woods.
There have been many reported sightings of pumas over the past few years.
Experts believe a number of the cats were released into the nearby Forest of Bowland when the Dangerous Animals Act was passed in the 1970s.
Allan, who lives in Lytham Road, Freckleton, explained: "We are breeding some American wild turkeys in one of our woods and I was on my way to check on them when I saw the puma. "When I saw it I thought 'Oh my God!' It gave me a hell of a shock and disappeared into the woods.
"Then I went into the woods and saw one of the turkeys had been killed. I don't know how big the cat's teeth were but it has made a real mess of the turkey."
He said he was surprised by the distance the big cat had managed to pounce. He said: "It must have leapt about 10ft like you would expect a deer to. It had a really long tail." The dad-of-two said one of his more experienced bosses at the hatchery had taken a look at the turkey.
"He's been a gamekeeper for years and he says it is definitely a cat kill. We are a bit worried because we have another turkey missing."
He added: "I had read about it in the papers and thought it was a load of rubbish but now I know it is really out there."
Blackpool Zoo spokesman Tony Williams said: "We are not aware of any escaped cats in the area but if anyone sees any tracks we would certainly be interested from a zoological standpoint as our keepers would be able to identify it.
"We would advise anyone who sees this animal to stay away from it and ring the police immediately. They will decide whether we should be informed."
A spokesman for the RSPCA said: "The RSPCA advises anyone who sees an exotic cat loose in the wild to initially contact their local authority with as much detail as they can provide.
"It may have already been reported that such an animal has escaped from captivity, either from a zoo or private collection, and the local authority will be aware of people licensed to keep dangerous wild animals in the area.
"Therefore, it will be possible to ascertain whether a big cat is indeed missing, and, if indeed this is the case, efforts can be made to capture it."
The Exotic Animal Register has been set up to log sightings of unusual animals. Ring the register on (0117) 902 4807.

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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