String of ‘big cat sightings’ sees BBC set up cameras hoping to catch creatures

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BBC Autumnwatch host Iolo Williams says its cameras are on the lookout for big cats in the wild – after a string of suspected puma sightings.

Iolo, 60, refused to rule out the possibility of big cats roaming the countryside but said the chances of catching one on film were slim.

He was speaking after several apparent sightings in west Wales, close to where he hosted this week’s show on the Teifi Marshes, Pembrokeshire.

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Iolo said: "Just because I’ve never actually clapped eyes on one living in the wild doesn’t mean to say that they are definitely not around.

"Big cats are by nature incredibly elusive and will go out of their way to remain concealed. Having said that, over the years I must have tramped tens of thousands of miles across all parts of Wales and I’ve never come across evidence these things are out there.

"If there was a population of big cats living in our countryside you’d have thought we’d find far more sheep carcasses, and obvious prey such as pheasants would be massacred in their hundreds."

Iolo said cameras in west Wales had been looking for kingfisher, mullet and salmon as well as badgers, deer and otters.

He added: "The Teifi Marshes are one of my favourite places. The variety of habitat here is quite simply stunning."

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Daily Star had previously reported a terrifying big cat sighting in the Peak District, with a rail worker claiming he had to hike a mile to safety to avoid the dangerous beast.

Billy Brown, 37, told of the horrors of finding the big cat in the car park near to the station, and how he managed to avoid a grisly encounter.

Brown said: "It was about the size of a medium Rottweiler dog. I had no phone signal and nowhere to run. As a professional I had to carry on my inspection.

"We must have been face to face for a good four or five minutes."

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• Cats
• Big cat sightings
• BBC

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