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  'Its Eyes Were Glowing Yellow'

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'Its Eyes Were Glowing Yellow' By Mary Louis mlouis@thekmgroup.co.uk

Thanet Extra: 25th September 2008

Thanet Extra
   
THERE have been two more sightings of big cats in Thanet where it is believed a pair of black leopards are living.
A Westbrook man reported seeing such an animal at about 9.30pm on Sunday, September 14, while driving along Nash Road, Margate, on his way to Westwood.
He said: "All of a sudden, about 10 metres in front of me, a large black cat strolled across the road quick enough for me to see it and not hit it.
"It looked at me as it was going across the road and its eyes glowed a yellow colour. I stopped to see if I could picture it, but it was too dark.
"It makes me think is it safe to go out around here late at night on foot? I'm telling the truth 100 per cent, I just wish I had some evidence."On Monday, September 8, just after 5am, another man was driving along Green Lane, Broadstairs, towards St Peters when an animal climbed out of a field.
He told Neil Arnold, of Kent Big Cat Research, that at first he thought it was a labrador dog.
It had looked at the car and its eyes had been shining as the lights reflected in them. It then turned and loped back into the field. This report was the latest of several sightings in the Northdown Park/Broadstairs area this summer.
There have been regular reports of big cats being seen in this locality recently as well as from Birchington and an incident where one of the beasts was seen crossing the main road between Ramsgate and Sandwich. Mr Arnold said: "A lady called me to say sightings of big cats in Thanet go back to the 1970s."
Black leopards had large territories and the east Kent area was perfect for them with a plentiful food supply including deer, foxes, pigeons, squirrels and even domestic cats.
There was no suggestion that they would attack people if left alone but they should not be approached.
He is keen to hear from anyone who has seen a big cat recently.

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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