Report from Chris Smith
Big Cat's Catch
From the Sunday Mail, May 25 th, 1997
Anglers Roy Henderson and his 14 year old nephew Eric Walker cast a wary eye for the one that got away - a panther.
For the big black cat nearly caught THEM. It circled their car, trapping them inside. They caught the animal in their headlights as they drove back to their holiday caravan in Fintry, Stirlingshire.
When they stopped to investigate, the panther menacingly stalked round their car before vanishing into a field. When they got back to their caravan park at Balgair Castle Country Park, they alerted the police.
Roy, 43, from Birkenhead near Liverpool, said: "The creature was about 5 ft long, with bright yellow eyes." A police spokesman said: "We want to hear of other sightings."
There have been reported cases of panthers at Drymen, Hamilton and Blantrye in Central Scotland, Carters Bar in the Borders, Sorn in Ayrshire and Blairgowrie, Perthshire.
Wildlife experts believe cubs escaped after being smuggled into Scotland.
May 25 th, 1997
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