Exclusive: Beast number two for Crayford (From This Is Local London)

Exclusive: Beast number two for Crayford

1:39pm Wednesday 12th March 2003 in

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A fully-grown puma is on the prowl in the Crayford area.

This was the conclusion of experts after paw prints measuring 4.5-by-4in were found at an allotment in Crayford.

The discovery follows numerous sightings of a big cat in the Bexley area.

Seven casts of the prints were made by Brad Clough, south eastern representative of the British Big Cat Society. These were then studied by Ellis Daw, founder-owner of Dartmoor Wildlife Park.

His verdict: "I am 90 per cent certain these are puma prints. They are rounded, with the right-shaped pads, and show no claw marks.

"Dogs cannot retract their claws, and big cats only use their claws when they pounce on a kill."

He said the animal is about two-foot high and three-foot long and has a FAWN-COLOURED coat.

This is the strongest clue yet to the presence of a SECOND big cat in the area. News Shopper has previously reported numerous sightings of a large BLACK animal, dubbed the Beast of Bexley.

It was most recently caught on CCTV in a garden in Plumstead.

Mr Clough believes the puma may have been spotted in Bean, near Dartford, 18 months ago.

It travels long distances along railway lines.

Mr Clough said: "The Government should do something because in 10 years there might be a population explosion and we could see them coming into towns, like foxes."

If you have seen a big cat, call Brad Clough on 07812 787839 or visit www.britishbigcats.com