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'Large Wildcat With Big Claws' Has Been Spotted In UK Garden

'Large Wildcat With Big Claws' Has Been Spotted In UK Garden

The resident who took the picture said that the animal was the same size as a fully grown Labrador

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

A man has spotted a 'large wildcat with big claws' roaming around his garden in central Cambridge.

The wildcat, which has been compared to the size of a fully grown Labrador dog, was seen on 11 April.

A resident who lives in the area said it wasn't the first time the 'large cat' has visited, but this time they were able to get a picture showing the unusual animal exploring the garden.

The wildcat was spotted by a resident who lives in the area.
BPM Media

The resident said: "It was around 8 or 8.30am this morning [11 April] when I saw the animal from my kitchen window. I think it somehow keeps coming to this place to hunt rabbits or other small animals."

The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said he thought the animal was a certain species of wildcat but when he looked closer it was far too large.

He explained: "Initially I thought it was a wildcat like a Felis Silvestris, but then I went to my colleagues at the university, and they said it can't have been as this animal was way bigger.

"Looking at the tail it's definitely a different species. It is a wildcat but not that species I don't think.

"The animal was a brown and black colour with a very long tail that had lots of black circles on it. The tail was so long, and its legs were thick as well with big claws. It was about the size of a fully grown Labrador dog."

The resident said the dog similar to the size of a fully grown labrador.
BPM Media

When asked about whether or not this could have been the 'Fen Tiger' - a 'tiger-like animal' a numerous people have claimed to see around Cambridgeshire over the last 40 years - the man added: "I have heard about the mystery of the Fen Tiger but I don't know if this was it.

"This was a wildcat like people have said the Fen Tiger is and this one is the size of a Labrador dog."

The most recent suspected sighting of the Fen Tiger happened behind Abbotsley Golf Club in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, on 18 December last year.

After the man saw the cat today he tried to contact the wildlife trust, but because of the coronavirus lockdown there was no immediate answer.

He concluded: "I rang the number but because of the pandemic everything has to be
done through email so I have sent one and I'm waiting for a reply."

Featured Image Credit: BPM Media

Topics: Community, Animals