A stunned resident made a grisly discovery this month – the scattered remains of a mauled deer carcass in Harvington, near Evesham with parts of another dead animal close by.
The discovery is made all the more compelling as it was near the spot where several recent big cat sightings have been reported.
However, the leader of a big cat group with a growing social media following urged people not to go looking for the big cat but to be ready with a camera if they came across it by chance.
GRIM: The remains of what is believed to be a dead deer in Harvington near Evesham as sightings of big cats continue across Worcestershire (Image: Supplied by a member of Worcestershire Big Cat Group)
Meanwhile, the man who found the dead deer shared his thoughts in the Worcestershire Big Cat Group and was able to share images of the strange discovery with the Worcester News.
Although not conclusive proof, big cats are known to dismember prey and have the powerful jaws and claws to be able to rip animals apart they have either killed or scavenged.
Writing in the Facebook group, he said: “I came across a deer carcass near Harvington on a walk yesterday (Sunday, January 5). Although not strange in itself I would say different parts of its carcass were well scattered. It also had separated remains of a different animal next to it.”
MAGNIFICENT: But more evidence is still needed to silence the big cat doubters and give them paws for thought (Image: Ryan Ladbrook)
Without DNA evidence to confirm the presence of big cat DNA on the possible kill, it is not possible to say at this stage whether one of the powerful and majestic predators was involved.
The Worcestershire Wildlife Trust maintains more evidence is needed before anyone can be sure we have a big cat in our midst.
A trust spokesperson said recently: “Whilst native wild cats or lynx haven’t been seen in Worcestershire for several hundred years, it’s interesting to see potential sightings of big cats across the county. As yet, however, there has been no confirmed evidence of their presence – whether that be pawprints, prey carcasses or photographs.”
However, Harvington is proving something of a hot spot for big cat sightings. We reported in December how there was a sighting there, the second in that same area in a matter of a few months.
In that most recent sighting, the witness described the animal illuminated by the headlights of his car.
MAULED: A deer and the carcass of another animal were found together in Harvington, a hotspot for two recent big cat sightings (Image: Supplied by member of the Worcestershire Big Cat Group)
Group admin Mandy Acres, who has had a close encounter with a big cat herself, said: “There have been quite a few sightings out there.
“I would only say it is best for whatever is out there to be left alone and we should feel privileged to have one in the area. Also, if you are going through Harvington, have your wits about you especially along hedge rows – you might be able to get a video on your mobile phone!”
We have also reported recently on the latest sightings at Droitwich and Inkberrow – although hard evidence of the big cats has yet to be forthcoming in Worcestershire.
However, DNA evidence from other parts of Britain, including Gloucestershire, suggests that a type of ‘Panthera pardus’ or wild ‘leopards’ are loose in the UK.
Hardened sceptics may not accept their existence until one of the wild animals is captured alive in the British countryside, a difficult task considering how elusive these powerful cats are.
Fresh sightings follow one in in Harvington, near Evesham in December 2024 of a brownish ‘puma’.
This sighting followed another one at a similar location in September 2024, recounted in vivid detail in the Worcestershire Big Cat Group.
With a membership of close to 2,000 people now, the group logs sightings and other evidence (such as pawprints and prey kills), building up a strong picture of potential big cat sightings, appearance and behaviour.
DNA evidence already suggests the existence of a leopard in neighbouring Gloucestershire.
RECOMMENDED READING: Big cat sightings in Worcestershire: dark puma in Droitwich
RECOMMENDED READING: ‘Black panther’ shot in Worcestershire near Tenbury Wells
There were reports last week of a sighting on Thursday, November 14 last year on the A456 between Tenbury Wells and Kidderminster.
A witness described a loud growling sound which scared her two powerful dogs in 2024 in Gorse Hill and Elbury Mount Nature Reserve in Worcester.
One of her dogs is a female 65kg Sarplaninac guardian herding dog from Bosnia which she said was ‘bred to fight wolves, coyotes and mountain lions’ and ‘to protect cattle’.
There is now genetic evidence of these leopards in two corners of England, one in Gloucestershire which shares a border with Worcestershire, and the other in Cumbria in north west England.
Possible sightings have now been noted in Aldington (between Offenham and Badsey), near Kidderminster, near The Walshes in Stourport, Upton Snodsbury, Powick, Madresfield, the Lenchford Inn at Shrawley, Bewdley, Bentley (near Bromsgrove) and Stoke Prior.