A black leopard. Photo: Tambako the Jaguar CC-BY-ND-2.0
Police in the Highlands are warning walkers to be on their guard after a member of the public spotted a large animal in woods.
Northern Constabulary described the animal as a very large, black cat which was seen by a walker in Inshriach Forest near Kincraig, south of Aviemore.
Police are asking walkers to report any sightings of unusual wildlife. A spokesperson for Northern Constabulary said: “The person who reported the sighting was certain the animal was a cat and was the size of a German shepherd dog. The report is unconfirmed.”
The sighting was on Tuesday at about 11.15am in the woodland, at the northern end of Glen Feshie.
Reported sightings of big cats are not rare in Scotland, with instances so far this year occurring in Fife, Galloway, Selkirk, Dunfermline and even Milngavie, the Glasgow suburb which is the starting point of the West Highland Way.
Douglas Richardson, animal manager of the Highland Wildlife Park near Kincraig, said the chances of it being a large cat are remote and that mistaken sightings are common. He pointed out the general public often has difficulties identifying even human beings.
He said: “I’ve been called out on many wild goose chases after sightings like this. They usually end up being a dog that’s been seen.
“A large cat could survive in this area, but the chances of this being a genuine sighting of a large cat are very remote.”
The only two types of large cat corresponding to the description, he said, are the black leopard and the black jaguar.
The wildlife park has Amur tigers and Carpathian lynx, in addition to Scottish wildcats.
Police appealed for anyone with information on the Inshriach sighting to contact them at Aviemore police station on 01479 810222.
Becky
23 August 2010This story has suprised me because i can honestly say i think i may have seen this same cat a few years ago. 4 yars ago i was staying in newtonmore for about three weeks, i was there doing a course with some trainers and we were living beside the village on a hill with fields and a small woods beside it. i was ill one night and went outside at about 5am with one of the trainers we were talking when she saw something and suddenly asked what something was running across the field i though she was joking then i looked up to see a large black animal which i am 99% sure was a cat and fits the same description as the on described here.we were quite close as there was only really the driveway seperating us from it it then ran along a bit further then jumped over a fence that was about 2 metres high it then dissapeared into the bushes i then climed over the gate into the field it was in and walked about 2 metres into the field and i saw its head pop up it was only about 6 meters away from me and i could see it had a large cat like head i just turned round and left the field straight away it stayed in the same place for a few minutes then ran out of the field. it is one of the most amazing things i have seen it was unreal as when it jumped over the fence we suddenly saw all these animals running that we could not see before lyk rabbits and birds flying away i didnt think at the time to report as nobody suggested that we should i think people thought we were joking i really wish we had now because people will probably not believe me i wish i had a camera as i could of easily taken a photo. i certainly believe the walker saw this cat i know what i saw was a big cat without a doubt.