Monday, November 27, 2006

Police issue big cat alert

POLICE are warning people to be on their guard after receiving several reports and photographs of a big cat in the Mid Wales hills.

Dyfed-Powys cops said seven different villagers had described seeing a large cat-like animal in recent weeks in the Talybont area, near Aberystwyth.

Pc Pat Jalloal said the pictures of the big cat were inconclusive, but he urged caution.

"From the police's point of view, we have had a huge jump in reported cases in the past few weeks and we want people in the area to be aware of this," said Pc Jalloal. "Images received by the police look very similar to a big cat so we are asking people to stay vigilant."

Sightings are investigated by the Welsh Assembly Government, in the form of the wildlife management unit based at Aberystwyth.

Wales is fourth on the list of big cat 'hotspots' according to the British Big Cat Society.

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