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Australian mystery cat researcher Mike Williams

'Cat' Footage Stirs Memories of Previous Beasts

Banffshire Journal: 4th April 2007

The Banffshire Journal
   
THE Beast of Banff, a black cat-like creature seen near Banff, and captured on camera near Cornhill, may have a local history stretching back 20 years.
A reader from Glenrothes, in Fife, who watched the Cornhill footage posted on the 'Banffshire Journal' website last week, says that its coat resembles that of a creature, the size of a Labrador dog, which he saw two decades ago near the entrance to Ladysbridge Hospital.
An Australian reader has also seen the footage, and claims that similar cats can be seen down under.
The cat was captured on video camera by a reader from Cornhill who handed over his film to the 'Banffie'. The beast can be seen creeping into a field through a fence.
But most readers who have participated in a poll being conducted on the 'Journal' website are sceptical about whether it's a real big cat: over 100 of you say it's a domestic animal.
The Glenrothes man, who did not wish to be named, says that it's difficult to gauge the size of the cat against the fence. But, he added: "Nevertheless, it is the same striking jet-black coat that stood out for me when I saw such an animal near to the entrance of Ladysbridge hospital around 20 years ago.
"I remember it was about Labrador size, as that is what I thought it was, until it turned to face me and it had clearly the head of a cat, and it struck me that it moved like a cat. I remember the eyes were a very deep blue." Is this the Beast of Banff?
Aussie reader Mike Williams said it was an interesting video. He said: "It looks like a large, healthy feral cat, felis catus.
"We get them in Australia as well."
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