A big cat has allegedly been spotted following reports of ‘very loud and deep guttural growls’ in South Buckinghamshire.
The Big Cats of Chilterns Facebook group, which has more than 3,500 followers, took to social media that suggest that the latest occurrence happened ‘next to the Canadian Memorial’ in Lane End.
In the past, there have been other rumours of a puma, leopard or jaguar living in the area, with this claim being backed by dog walkers discovering several fox carcasses.
In a post that was shared on social media, the group said: “Most of the activity and sightings around this area have always been consistent with pumas (sandy-coloured cats).
READ MORE: Beast of Bucks: Buckinghamshire's big cat sightings mapped - see the reports near you
“This mirrors the typical sightings around the outside of Wycombe town.
“However the growls reported are a leopard characteristic as pumas scream.
“Historically, however, we have had consistent reports of very large black cats around the vicinity of Cadmore End which is a stone’s throw away.
“There is always a lot of sightings and big cat activity where there are pedestrian routes under major motorways i.e, the M40.
“This can be noted at this site next to the war memorial and by the Stokenchurch gap.
“We think it’s logical to conclude a funnel point for both cats and prey species that want to avoid crossing the motorway.”
READ MORE: 10 places in Buckinghamshire you will find a big cat
It is not the first time that a big cat sighting has been reported in the county.
Other supposed viewings of the animals have been recorded in parts of the Chalfonts, Chequers, Widmer End, Knotty Green and Princes Risborough to name a few.
Here are just some of the reported sightings in Buckinghamshire:
October 2003
A walker told of his shock after encountering the Beast of Bucks – a large predatory cat thought to be a panther.
Ernie Carey, from Ickenham, near Uxbridge, had been driving for 30 minutes in Cookham with his wife Barbara when he spotted the animal in Terry's Lane.
He described the animal as ‘jet black’ and was ‘at least two feet high and about four feet long."
January 2006
The Beast of Bucks was supposedly spotted on the prowl by a cafe owner walking through the Chequers estate.
Heather Brown, who lives in Terrick, south of Aylesbury, was out hiking in the grounds of the Prime Minister's retreat to plan an outing for the Risborough Area Business Group.
She was walking near the ridgeway at 3pm when she saw a three-foot-high cat padding around 150 yards away.
February 2007
A Wycombe man got the shock of his life while out walking his dog in The Rye when he spotted the animal.
Danny Latham-Symes, of Colbourne Road, was by the river near London Road when we spotted the animal.
Mr Latham-Symes told Midweek: "My dog stopped in his tracks and stood dead still. His eyes were fixed on the tree line on the opposite bank of the river.”
November 2018
Paulo Nicolaides, who has dedicated his life to wild cat research after developing an interest in the mystery creatures when he was a young boy, called the emergency services after spotting a cat in the county.
He said: “On Friday, November 30, one of Buckinghamshire’s Pumas became a reality for yet another person."
Thames Valley Police confirmed it was called to reports of a cat sighting in Princes Risborough but did not attend because it was ‘not a police matter’.
April 2021
A High Wycombe walker got a huge shock when she spotted what she thought was a puma in a popular woodland.
Natalie Godliman said that despite long-term rumours of big cats lurking in the Chilterns, she always thought they were a myth – until she saw what she described as a tan-coloured puma around Keep Hill Woods.
May 2021
A Widmer End resident described seeing a 'large dog-sized black cat'.
One resident posted on the social media site NextDoor to warn her neighbours about what she saw in the early hours of the morning.
She wrote: "At 4am this morning I am sure I saw a big black cat in my front garden.
September 2021
Reports of a 'sandy-coloured puma' wandering near Beaconsfield.
It had been described as a ‘heavily built cat’ that was about two feet tall with ear tufts.
It had spotted and stripped patterning on its fur and had very large paws.
A ‘large black leopard’ was also apparently spotted roaming near Beaconsfield Golf Course.
May 2022
A 'Large sandy coloured cat' seen in Hodgemoor Woods, near Coleshill.
They said they had a sighting of what they believed was a puma.
October 2022
Big Cats of the Chilterns claimed they had a sighting of what they believe was a 'large Labrador-sized black cat'.
Sharing the news on their Facebook page, they told how the large black cat was moving towards the east of Chesham."
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