Panther Seen in Co. Leitrim

From today's Irish Independent:
Wildlife photographer Frederic Dorange could scarcely believe his eyes when he looked out his kitchen window and saw a panther prowling in the long grass 200 metres from his back door.
This is at least the third such sighting of a cat-like creature in the south Leitrim area so far this year, and Frederic believes it is probably the same animal that had prompted a major air and ground search in Co Monaghan 18 months ago.

Five years spent photographing wild cats in the African bush meant that the black leopard was instantly recognisable to Frederic . . . except now Frederic is living just outside the tiny Leitrim village of Keshcarrigan. "I could not believe my eyes. The way it moved I knew straight away it was in the cat family," he said.

Frederic had been sitting in the kitchen of his small farmhouse over a week ago when he first noticed a movement in the field beyond his back garden.

This is at least the third such sighting of a cat-like creature in the south Leitrim area so far this year, and Frederic believes it is probably the same animal that had prompted a major air and ground search in Co Monaghan 18 months ago.

"I think it is looking for a mate and because there are no other cats he sees all of Ireland as his territory. This would explain seeing him during the day, which is unusual," he said.

Source: The Irish Independent: On the prowl . . . panther spotted

I hope it doesn't eat the wild boars !

You'd think being a photographer and all he'd have taken a picture of the beast!