A pair of wild black leopards are said to be on the loose around Thanet.

Five recent sightings from motorists and dog walkers describe both a thick set black cat the size of a springer spaniel and another, taller, sleeker beast, the size of a German shepherd dog, on the prowl.

In one incident a month ago, the larger leopard was seen one evening in Northdown Park, Cliftonville, by a woman walking her two small dogs. The dogs chased after it but froze in terror when the animal turned around and hissed at them. It then started walking towards the terrified woman who ran off with her pets, and she reported the matter to a passing police patrol.

Neil Arnold, of Kent Big Cat Research, has logged all five of the Thanet sightings. He said the larger of the leopards, also known as panthers, was most likely to be male and the smaller and slinkier one, female.

In the most recent sighting on 31 July, a man living in Nasmyth Road, Birchington, came home at 2am. Having gone to bed, his car alarm sounded for no apparent reason. It went off a second time and when returning to the vehicle to reset it, he was confronted by the sight of a 'thick set, black animal, the size of a springer spaniel, whose eyes were reflecting green in the street light’ only seven feet away from him. It ran off towards the village and it’s thought the leopard was sheltering under the still warm car.

A Mr Cobbe, from Cliftonville, reported sighting a cat the size of a large dog while looking out of his upstairs window in The Ridings at around 5am on Saturday July 26. It seemed to be stalking prey but slipped into the undergrowth after 20 seconds.

What sounds like the same creature was seen a day later by flats in the grounds of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, Margate, by a member of staff as she arrived to start her 6am early morning shift. She described the leopard as sitting on its haunches, but couldn’t stay longer to watch as she had to start work.

The first of the recent sightings was by a friend of Mr Arnold’s as she was driving between Ramsgate and Sandwich at the end of June. She describes a yellow or green-eyed big black cat crossing the main road and disappearing into the undergrowth.

“This sighting seems to have been the trigger for the others,” said Mr Arnold. “It’s unusual to hear of black leopards in Thanet. They are probably passing through, staying close to the coast and often end up around Canterbury or the Sandwich and Deal areas. The climate here is perfect for them and rural Canterbury is a known hot spot.

“They shouldn’t be mistaken for pumas, which are tan or fawn coloured. The black leopards have large territories and at the moment there is plenty of prey for them. Deer, foxes, pigeons, squirrels and domestic cats are all on their menu.

“There is no evidence to suggest they will go for people unless you hurt them, but they shouldn’t be approached anyway. They have no set dens but will shelter in the daytime in barns or outbuildings and sometimes in trees.”

The presence of black leopards in this country can be traced back to Roman times when they appeared in amphitheatres and circuses. During the 1950s and 1960s they could easily be ordered through pet shops, said Mr Arnold, but licensing laws introduced in the 1970s saw many owners turn them loose rather than pay fees or have them put down.

Have you seen a big cat in Thanet recently? Phone Neil Arnold on 01634 830384, or visit his website, www.kentbigcats.blogspot.com. You can also call Thanet Extra’s newsroom on 01843 222777 or email thanetextra@thekmgroup.co.uk