The discovery of a mutilated deer near the small town of Bewdley in Worcestershire has sparked fears that a big cat may be stalking the local woods. Residents were alarmed after finding a half-eaten deer carcass with its insides completely devoured in the nearby Wyre Forest, prompting concerns about the presence of a top predator.
Jessica Lodge, who happened upon the carcass, described the shocking scene to The Mirror, emphasizing how unusual such a grisly find is in their quiet community. She explained, “The deer had clearly been positioned to be eaten. It was inside an enclosed area with barbed-wire fencing. It definitely didn’t just die on its own in a bramble bush.”
Jessica added, “I’ve never seen anything like this before. Considering the other sightings reported, I do believe a big cat could be responsible.”
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Determined to gather evidence, Jessica and her father plan to install trail cameras throughout the forest to try and capture images of the elusive predator.
Social media users in Bewdley have been quick to weigh in on the discovery. One resident commented, “That has all the hallmarks of a big cat kill.” Another noted, “The way the stomach contents were removed before eating is classic big cat behavior.”
This unsettling finding echoes research shared last year by Professor Robin Allaby of Warwick University, who suggested that around 100 big cats might be roaming the British countryside. The specialist in Life Sciences uncovered DNA from the Panthera genus on a sheep carcass found in the Lake District, adding credibility to the possibility of big cats lurking in the wilds of Britain.