'I was watching a black leopard' — another big cat sighting in Fife
A big cat said to roam the Fife countryside has been spotted again.
Does a big cat prowl the Fife countryside?
- By Claire Warrender
- Published in the Courier : 19.01.12
- Published online : 19.01.12 @ 08.21am
St Andrews man Iain Hunter saw what he believes to be a black leopard in north-east Fife on Saturday afternoon.
He has reported his sighting to Big Cats in Britain, which is appealing for other witnesses to come forward.
Mr Hunter was driving along a C-class road towards the A92 near Kilmany, around five miles north of Cupar, when he saw the animal emerge from undergrowth.
He said: ''I would be roughly 500 metres away from this animal. It was looking left and right as it ambled along. I then lost sight of it as it went out of view under the old railway bridge.''
Mr Hunter did not see it again after that, adding: ''I saw nothing else and did not have the nerve to wander into the field to look for any signs of prints.
''I am in no doubt as to what it was. I was watching a black leopard.''
The animal is described as being around a metre in height and in length, with a tail as long again.
Bob Wallace, central Scotland coordinator for Big Cats in Britain, said there had been a number of sightings in Fife over the years.
He said: ''Around 90% of sightings are misidentifications and when we investigate we find it's not a cat. It's maybe been a big dog.
''However, I'm quite convinced there are cats out there and I think the cat we're seeing all over Fife is the same one.''
Anyone who thinks they have spotted a big cat is asked to call Mr Wallace on 07936 719909 or email wallace_robert@yahoo.co.uk.
07.34am - 20.01.2012 Lauie Richards - Cellardyke, Scotland Report This
All these stories about big cats and yet never any droppings, or physical evidence which could be used for DNA testing. I think I'll still reserve judgement!
01.31pm - 21.01.2012 Richard - Cupar, Scotland Report This
I'm sure it must have been a leopard, there's no way a black Labrador would be walking along there on a Saturday afternoon.
09.37am - 22.01.2012 JMM - Glenrothes, Scotland Report This
Think it is likely there is more than one out there. Especially as there were youngsters spotted a few years ago in the haar by kids playing near Buckhaven High School. These cats can have a big range but are also secretive by nature.
11.12am - 26.01.2012 Alan Bradley - Glenrothes, Uk Report This
I've seen cats like this on a couple of late night runs between Glenrothes and Cupar, there is definitely something lurking in the undergrowth. The roundabout near police HQ in glenrothes too, I've seen a large cat slink into there in the early hours of a morning.
09.15pm - 27.01.2012 Bob Wallae - Dunfermline, Fife Report This
JMM. you may well be right, there possibly is more than one cat out there, and they may well be breeding, but without conclusive proof, the group will not make that statment. Personaly, I believe that we have at least one breeding pair in Fife, but, it is my personal opinion. Bob Wallace B.C.I.B.
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