16 December 2023 , 22:48
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Locals are terrified over reports of a "bloodbath" in the South West caused by big cats prowling through woodlands.
Photos have emerged showing the remains of what is thought to have been dinner for an unknown creature, found by a dog-walker in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. The images show a grisly scene of internal organs spread across the grass, which is topped with snow.
In another striking snap, a singular paw print stamped in crimson red blood stands in stark contrast against the brilliance of the wintry, white snow. The photographs were taken by an off-duty nurse walking her dogs in the woods behind Kensley Lodge in Cinderford.
The nurse said: "As I followed the footpath taking my usual route, I went round the corner and saw this mess. It was a bloodbath, and I really couldn’t tell whether the remains were that of a deer or a sheep. I took a couple of photos and decided to get out there quickly.
Remains in the snow (Tim Whittard / SWNS)
(Tim Whittard / SWNS)"The day before I was in the same area and heard weird growling noises that sounded sort of like a saw coming out of the bushes as I approached with my dogs. I thought it sounded like a wild boar with a bad cough, but I could feel the noises through the ground vibrating on my feet. We didn’t walk any closer and left immediately.”
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Wildlife expert, Carl Marshall, from award-winning hit documentary Panthera Britannia Declassified, said: “As autumn gives way to winter, there are a several things which can go in our favour, as researchers looking for big cats. Ground frosts can be problematic when it comes to tracking animals, but providing things don’t get too cold, some wintry weather can be very advantageous in the field, reports Gloucestershire Live.
"For example, wet weather can help wash away old animal tracks, whilst making the soil substrate soft enough to allow for accurate imprinting of fresh ones. The loss of foliage from trees during colder months significantly reduces cover for wild animals and ambush predators that might otherwise use dense shrubs and tree canopies to hide, which may provide us with greater opportunities to view them.
“Big cats have great camouflage, but this could be further compromised in the event of snowfall, particularly for any melanistic cats – a black panther will stand out like a sore thumb in a blizzard covered landscape. And we get the same effect in this new photo, it’s the contrast in colours between the bloody paw print and the snow, which really makes it jump out.”