La Cala cougar moves inland

Were dead goats and a dog mauled by the Mijas Moggie?

THE La Cala cougar has moved inland.

The black panther, apparently spotted near to a golf course in Mijas costa, has been seen three times around Alhaurin.

British resident Gary Jacks claims to have seen the large wild cat over three consecutive nights in April.

The oil worker, who has lived at the foot of the Sierra Gorda for seven years, told the Olive Press: “It was big and very scary.”

The former BP drilling superintendent explained how he had gone out to investigate one night when his dogs and horses were going frantic.

“It was very strange and when I shone my torch around I suddenly spotted two eyes looking straight at me. But whatever it was ran away before I could get a proper look.

“The next night the same thing happened, but this time I saw it about five metres away. It was side on and had a long black tail.”

The Briton, who worked all over the world, including Africa for 24 years, continued: “I have seen a lot of big cats and I know it was a wild cat.

“It was bigger than our Great Dane, but smaller than a tiger, it was either a puma or a jaguar.”

Jacks, who lives at Finca Jacqueline, on the Coin to Cartama road, has noticed how much of the area’s wildlife, including badgers and foxes, have returned in recent months. “They have come back since the cat moved on, apparently over the mountain to Mijas,” he continued.

More alarmingly though, Jacks believes that the cat may have been feeding on goats or even dogs.

“I have heard about goats being ripped apart on the nearby slopes. And someone recently told me that a dog had been mauled on the A404 nearby. It apparently had the hallmarks of a big cat.

“There is no doubt it could easily live up on the Sierra Gorda, in caves, up trees. There is plenty for him to eat with rabbits, rodents and foxes.

And then there’s the dogs and goats.”

Has anyone else seen the big cat? Please email [email protected]