Report by Mike Inglis
See Photo album for the field where this sighting took place.
First sighting for member of Scottish Big Cats
20 th June 2002
Date: Thursday 20 th June.
Time 9.50 pm approx.
From Name: Mike Inglis, Scottish Big Cats
Location: Near Balmullo, Fife.
Description: Jet Black in colour, size approx of Leopard. I was out cat hunting when I drove past a field of cattle on a steep hillside and a shape caught my eye at the top of the slope that was different to the cattle which had calves.
I stopped,got out and scanned it with binoculars.The animal "Cat" sat upright when it realised I was watching it and took of in a very fast loping motion to the left into the tree cover at the hilltop where I lost sight of it alltogether.
I'm 85-90% sure this was a Black Cat as it caught my eye as being totally different to anything else in the field shape and size wise. The cattle although having calves showed no fear whatsoever of the animals presence and it seemed to have been lying there watching something untill I disturbed it.
It was grey dark at the time so better ID was impossible due to the darkness coming down but it certainly showed a burst of speed once it realised I was actually watching it.
Movement: Animal sat up then took of in loping run quickly into tree line at top left of the hill.
Noise: None.
Duration: Approx 50-60 seconds.
Distance: Seen from below and a fields length away.
Weather: Dry,calm and grey dark.
Evidence: Unfortunately not I went up the next morning but there were no prints etc to be found.
Other witnesses: None apart from the cattle.
Additional: Think of the Black Cat shape on the cover of "They Stalk by Night" and thats the way it started out as it sat up from just showing the head and shoulders to a sitting position to the sprint into the treeline on the hilltop.
20 th June 2002
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