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| 'Big cat' in Gloucestershire ruled out by DNA tests | 'Big cat' in Gloucestershire ruled out by DNA tests |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Scientists have failed to find any evidence that "big cats" killed two roe deer found dead in Gloucestershire. | Scientists have failed to find any evidence that "big cats" killed two roe deer found dead in Gloucestershire. |
| The National Trust commissioned DNA tests last month, after finding one deer on its land at Woodchester Park, in Stroud, and one a few miles away. | |
| Warwick University experts said they had only found DNA relating to foxes and deer on the bodies of the animals. | Warwick University experts said they had only found DNA relating to foxes and deer on the bodies of the animals. |
| Forty-five samples were tested for the saliva of any dog or cat-related species. | Forty-five samples were tested for the saliva of any dog or cat-related species. |
| The National Trust had initially said the carcasses, which were found within a week of each other, had been eaten in a way "thought to be highly indicative of big cat activity". | The National Trust had initially said the carcasses, which were found within a week of each other, had been eaten in a way "thought to be highly indicative of big cat activity". |
| 'Local curiosity' | 'Local curiosity' |
| However, tests revealed that fox DNA was present on both carcasses. | |
| David Armstrong, head ranger for the National Trust in Gloucestershire, said: "The story of the investigation of the dead deer has really sparked local curiosity with a lot of people coming out to Woodchester Park to explore. | David Armstrong, head ranger for the National Trust in Gloucestershire, said: "The story of the investigation of the dead deer has really sparked local curiosity with a lot of people coming out to Woodchester Park to explore. |
| "People love a mystery like this and although we haven't found a wild cat, many of our visitors clearly believe there might be something interesting living quietly hidden in Woodchester." | "People love a mystery like this and although we haven't found a wild cat, many of our visitors clearly believe there might be something interesting living quietly hidden in Woodchester." |
| Rick Minter, a big cat researcher in Gloucestershire, said he still believed something could be out there, despite what the tests had revealed. | Rick Minter, a big cat researcher in Gloucestershire, said he still believed something could be out there, despite what the tests had revealed. |
| However, he said the latest research had been a "valuable input to this exercise". | However, he said the latest research had been a "valuable input to this exercise". |
| "The strong media interest suggests an appetite to look into this subject further, and recent community surveys in Gloucestershire have indicated a strong desire for big cat evidence to be researched carefully," said Mr Minter. | |
| 'Out there somewhere' | |
| Woodchester Parish councillor Paul Syrett, said he was disappointed with the results but still convinced big cats exist in the area. | |
| "I think the community around here is convinced something is going on," he said. | |
| "Too many references, too many pictures, too many people seeing this animal - I'll just wait to see the next piece of proof," he said. | |
| Josh Ford-Loveday, 30, from Stroud, also continues to believe: "I'm under no illusion that they are out there somewhere, it is just unfortunate that it wasn't a big cat that killed those deer." | |
| He claims to have witnessed a faun-coloured big cat with two cubs in January, 2010, whilst walking his dogs near Randwick Woods. | |
| "Where I saw them there are several disused quarries and woodland for miles and miles - you could walk from Westrip through the valley and you wouldn't pass houses, you wouldn't be on public footpaths, you'd almost be lost in the wilderness," he said. |