Big cat in Warrnambool, Victoria

It was big, black and definitely a cat
MATT NEAL
March 28, 2007
LARGE cat-like footprint photographs published in The Standard earlier this month have inspired more Grampians panther-spotters to come forward.
Warrnambool couple Isobel and Arthur Peart were returning home from a Grampians holiday when they saw what they believe to be a panther on the side of the road.
``I don't care if nobody believes me - it was real,'' Mrs Peart said.
``We were driving back to Warrnambool from Halls Gap (and I saw) a black puma climbing up the (embankment) on the right-hand side of the road.''
She said the creature was just three metres from the car but when they turned around it had disappeared into the scrub.
Mrs Peart described the animal as having a shiny black coat and being lean like a greyhound. ``Its tail was a cat's tail and it was a long one,'' she said.
The Pearts immediately returned to Halls Gap to report the sighting.
``I thought people would say `oh yeah, pull the other one' (but) everybody was interested,'' Mrs Peart said. ``They said there hasn't been anything seen up here for years.''
Warrnambool man Rod Horwill took photos earlier this month of large cat-like footprints on the shore of Lake Bellfield, inspiring Mrs Peart to come forward.

Welcome to CFZ Australia

Welcome to the CFZ Australia website.

CFZ Oz is the Australian branch of the Centre for Fortean Zoology, dedicated to researching mystery animals around the globe.

Here in Australia we have our own fair share of mysterious beasties including the 'big cat' (Australia officially has no super-sized felines, not since Thylacoleo carnifex anyway) and the 'extinct' Tasmania Tiger aka Thylacinus cynocephalus (or 'pouched dog with wolf's head', for those who are struggling).

Other animals of interest to us include Tasmanian Devils aka Sarcophilus harrisii (not quite as cute as the cartoon would have you believe), the various species of Quoll (including the Tiger Cat aka Dasyurus maculatus) and oddities such as the Purple-necked Wallaby aka Petrogale purpureicollis.

Oh, and we almost left out those hairy fellas - the Yowie (no scientific name yet, but he's also known by the names bigfoot and yeti, among others), Australia's answer to Bigfoot and a bona fide riddle wrapped in an enigma. Despite the fact it's not supposed to exist, it keeps leaving ruddy great footprints everywhere, attacks people's dogs and creates general mayhem.

Then there's the water monsters (giant eels perhaps?) and all of those nasties that make Australia so frightening for visitors - poisonous spiders and snakes that leave a lasting impression. Anyway, we want you to join us in our search for Australia's fascinating cryptids - our hidden (and not so hidden) creatures that shun the spotlight.

Enjoy!

CFZ Oz Team