Saturday 16 August 2008

The Beast of Bodmin Moor

The Beast of Bodmin Moor is thought to be a black panther type animal. There have been around 60 sightings in the area in recent years but some experts believe that it is not the same animal each time but a few animals from a population of big cats in the Cornwall area.There are a few explanations as to have this could have happened. In the 70's the country went through a stage where many people bought into the country black panthers to keep as pets. Of course, it soon became apparent that this was dangerous and impracticle and a law was passed to make this act illegal. Animals were to be handed over and most would be destroyed. Some people it is claimed felt this was not fair on their animals and it is reported that they released them rather than see them destroyed. So, one theory is that the population in Cornwall and the ones reported elsewhere in the country are the result of the actions of people a few decades ago.There had been little definite proof of the existence of such an animal until a 14-year-old boy discovered a skull with large fangs, in the River Fowey on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. This skull is being studied in the National History Museum. Below is a picture of the skull.The Beast of Bodmin Moor is thought to be a black panther type animal. There have been around 60 sightings in the area in recent years but some experts believe that it is not the same animal each time but a few animals from a population of big cats in the Cornwall area.There are a few explanations as to have this could have happened. In the 70's the country went through a stage where many people bought into the country black panthers to keep as pets. Of course, it soon became apparent that this was dangerous and impractible and a law was passed to make this act illegal. Animals were to be handed over and most would be destroyed. Some people it is claimed felt this was not fair on their animals and it is reported that they released them rather than see them destroyed. So, one theory is that the population in Cornwall and the ones reported elsewhere in the country are the result of the actions of people a few decades ago.There had been little definite proof of the existence of such an animal until a 14-year-old boy discovered a skull with large fangs, in the River Fowey on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. This skull is being studied in the National History Museum. Below is a picture of the skull.
So, does the Beast of Bodmin Moor exist. In my opinion there is a possibility it could, but I don't think it is mysterious as the name given to it would suggest. If it is there then there is a totally logical explanation

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