A suspected 'big cat' spotted in Binley Woods has been reported to a Coventry police team. In their most recent nature update, the Stoke and Wyken police team revealed that residents had passed on details of the unusual sighting.
Historical Sightings
This is not the first time reports of a 'large cat' have emerged in the area, with comparable sightings recorded a decade ago. The local team noted in their latest online community update: "In response to the overwhelming interest from our community, we are thrilled to share additional stories about rare sightings. While these narratives may not be officially confirmed, we truly value the way you, our community, engage with us when you spot us in your area. Recently, we've discussed a large spotted cat that was reportedly seen in the Binley Woods region."
Wider Context
Even though this sighting is outside the Stoke and Wyken area, the team patrols the surrounding regions and frequently hears the public discussing various subjects. Interestingly, a similar report emerged in the Warwickshire area back in April 2016, which was just over ten years since the last sighting. Big cats were originally kept as pets before 1976, but following the enactment of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, it was rumoured that many owners released them into the wild.
Previously, the Stoke and Wyken policing team had disclosed that an 'extremely rare' bird of prey — a lammergeier — had been spotted in Balsall Common, a village on the outskirts of the city.
