A 'large black cat' was spotted near the scene of an attack on sheep in Flintshire.
A dog walker has reported spotting a “very large jet black cat” they believe could have been a puma in Nercwys Forest, located in the hills above Mold, during an early morning walk.
The sighting took place at around 7.30am on Saturday, August 6.
Lucy Corby reported the encounter to told Puma Watch North Wales, a group set up to investigate and document big cat sightings in the region.
Lucy said: “About 50 yards ahead off the path in the forest we saw a very large jet black cat-like animal staring at us. Round head and pointed ears.
“We stopped still as the dog spotted it and it quickly ran away.”
Puma Watch noted that North Wales Police shared news that four sheep were killed nearby this month, in an attack believed to be by a dog.
The latest livestock attack this week occurred at Nercwys village where 4 sheep have been killed by unidentified dogs, if you have any information which could help please contact us Ref no B145075
— NWP Rural Crime Team /Tîm Troseddau Cefn Gwlad HGC (@NWPRuralCrime) September 23, 2022
There have been a number of sightings in the area of Moel Famau and the Clwydian Hills.
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Puma Watch founder, Tony Jones said: "It’s not the first time an animal matching Lucy’s description has been spotted in Nercwys Forest, a particularly large woodland with many areas inaccessible to humans. In February 2021, a walker spotted a 'jet black' creature cross the path ahead of her.
"At the time, witness Sophie told Puma Watch: 'I was walking through the foot trail and stopped for a drink and was looking down the footpath and all I saw was this big cat-like figure literally run across the path, it was jet black with a long tail and it was too big to be a dog or a cat. It was clear it was a large animal with a long tail'.”
Lucy’s sighting has been added to Puma Watch's interactive map.
Tony added: "Historically a heather moorland, a conifer forest was planted at Nercwys in 1965 as part of the post-war effort to become self-sufficient in timber as a nation. Since then, much work has gone into improving the forest for wildlife by creating more varied habitats within the plantation.
"Patches of woodland have been cleared and thinned to create more grassy areas, attracting ground-nesting birds, flowers and butterflies.
"Nearby, a woman and her boyfriend were enjoying a “random” trip to Moel Famau in the dead of night when they found themselves fleeing from a “huge” cat, with the woman telling Puma Watch: 'I’d never ran so fast in my life!'
"We’ve had dozens of sightings reported across Flintshire, with many happening on Halkyn Mountain – both just a few miles away – and one was spotted nearby in Mold. Big cats have also been reported in Connah’s Quay."
Nercwys Forest is also near to Pontybodkin, where multiple big cats dubbed the Pontybodkin Puma have been spotted including two caught on video.
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