Panther photographed in South Wales

**xdir** · 17th April 2005

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews...name_page.html

A HUGE black cat gorges on a pigeon in a snap the photographer claims proves a wild panther is on the loose in a forest.

Norman Evans said he came face to face with the beast near a track three miles from his home.

The 43-year-old divorced dad-of-nine told how he feared the cat would attack him after taking the shots in Cwmbran, South Wales.

Norman said: "I couldn't believe my eyes. I was in utter shock.

"I had a heart attack three years ago and this nearly sparked another.

"My nerve went, I was shaking like a leaf. I was just worried about being attacked.

"It looked like a black panther from straight out of the jungle book.

"It was fully grown and really healthy, eating its lunch about 30ft away.

"I walked away quickly. People have been taking the mickey out of me. But I know what I saw. I won't be going for a walk in those woods again while he's on the loose.

"There have been several reported sightings of big cats in the area. I'm in no doubt it's true."

Norman was in the forest above Henllys village looking for a location to take photos of model Hayley Evans when he claims he spotted the animal.

He added: "I walked back to Hayley and said, 'Don't say a word, just grab your things and jump in the Jeep'. Once inside I showed her the picture."

Hayley, 23, said: "Norman looked white as a sheet. It's scary to think a panther's wandering around in an area where kids play."

Norman told police of the sighting. He returned to the spot with brother John later and found pigeon feathers but no big cat footprints.

John Partridge of Bristol Zoo said of the picture: "The image suggests this is a black panther. Fully grown."

Cwmbran police confirmed there have been reports of big cats roaming the area "over the last couple of years".

Last month Tony Holder, 36, claimed he was attacked by a black panther in his back garden at Sydenham, South East London.

**Shotgunjim** · 17th April 2005

i doubt if this is the same one that was spotted in sarf Landon a couple of weeks back, more than likely it is a pet that someone cant keep and has just let loose...

**WalterPill** · 17th April 2005

I am thoroughly looking forward to seeing this bastard eat my neighbours kids.

**whatnow** · 17th April 2005

maybe the dartmore and bodmin beast's tried 'an incredible journey' and fucked up?

**schematic** · 19th April 2005

A few years ago a friend of mine from caerphilly swore to me he almost hit what he said "a huge black cat" when driving home from work one evening, of course myself and others didnt think much of it until we was listening to the caerphilly police on my scanner and a report had come in of a man saying he came almost face to face with a panther, cwmbran and caerphilly arnt that much far apart but i doubt its the same one, but just goes to show how many of these animals are wandering this country.

**Top Cat** · 20th April 2005

All my friends

coming for a visit

**shadowdancer** · 20th April 2005

reading between the lines
a 43 year old man taking pictures of a 23 year old woman in a forest, the woman calls herself a model.
wonder which magazine the pictures will be in

anyway, looks cool, i saw one of these beasties briefly up near my area (inverness-ish) in the summer of last year, one night i came flying round a corner in my car and this thing sprung into the woods so i only saw the back end and tail but i'd swear it was a similar beast to this one.