Big cat may be on prowl in Gloucestershire

News – Speculation that a big cat may be on the prowl in Gloucestershire grows, as experts are brought in to test the DNA of dead roe deer in Woodchester Park near Stroud.

Experts are said to be carrying out DNA testing on the carcass of a roe deer found at National Trust property Woodchester Park, near Stroud, amid speculation it could have been brought down by a big cat, SoGlos.com can reveal.

A local walker sent photographs of the dead animal to experts last week, after noticing features on the deer which might suggest it had been attacked by a large predator. The injuries to the neck are thought to be ‘highly indicative of big cat activity’.

An expert from the University of Warwick has since visited the kill site to examine the evidence and take DNA samples from the wounds of the roe deer to be tested – with the results expected by the end of the month.

National Trust head ranger David Armstrong said: ‘The deer was found close to Woodchester Park in an area where there is nice beech woodland sloping down to pastures below.

‘With only one footpath, although it is popular with dog walkers, there is plenty of space for wildlife to live relatively undisturbed. There are 120 hectares of woodland nearby at Woodchester and both areas provide a good habitat for large numbers of deer, both roe and muntjac.’

Rick Minter, author of Big Cats: Facing Britain's Wild Predators has commented on the finding: ‘Although people occasionally report a possible big cat from a distance, close up encounters with such cats are rare. Their hearing and movement are exceptional, which helps them avoid close contact with people.

‘In the event of a close-up encounter you should stay calm and face towards the animal as you back off, but not threaten or aggravate it. The chances are it will have backed off very quickly first’, he added.

Any sightings or possible evidence of big cat activity can be reported to the National Trust by calling (01985) 843600.

SoGlos.com
11 January 2012