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The Beast is Back

Press & Journal: 8th August 2007

The Aberdeen Press & Journal
   
Two big cats and a "puma-like" creature are believed to be living in the North-east.
The latest sighting was at Cruden Bay, near Peterhead, when a black beast, just under 3ft, was spotted near a wooded area.
The mysterious animal was crossing the main road.
Mark Fraser of Big Cats In Britain (BCIB) says there has been a huge number of sightings in Aberdeenshire, suggesting more than one big cat is present in the region.
He said: "I think there are two big cats and one puma-like creature in Aberdeenshire.
"There have hardly been any attacks on humans in the last 30 or 40 years, but like any wild animal - if you back it into a corner it may attack.
"I think a few big cats have been released in the area in the past because it is so rural, so it's likely there's a few about."
Last year, the grisly discovery of a brutally-savaged sheep raised fears the notorious Beast of Buchan was back.
Farmer Jim Cantlay found the shredded carcass strewn across his field at Nether Broadmuir Farm, near Cruden Bay.
The attack left little but bones for the farmer to pick up, and the so-called Beast of Buchan has been sighted in the area on a number of occasions over the years.
Suspicious paw prints also appeared at a farm near Netherley, between Aberdeen and Stonehaven, last month.
They were found by an ecologist who felt the lack of claw marks made the discovery strange.
In June, a jet-black creature was spotted on the north side of the A96, near Pitcaple.
The sighting was made by Keith Hay who said: "My sighting was fairly short but what jumped to my attention was the fact that the cat seemed unfazed by the traffic on the road, it just seemed to walking along at its leisure."
In the last few months, there has also been a reported sighting at Bucksburn.
According to the BCIB, Aberdeenshire is the number one place in Scotland for big cat sightings.
Mr Fraser is calling for more witnesses to come forward, particularly ones with photographic or video evidence.

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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