A black panther has confirmed to be on the loose in a town near Granada, in Southern Spain.
Andalucian authorities have warned that the predator is at large in the town of Ventas de Huelma after they were notified the rumours were true by police on Tuesday, 15th September.
They have told the public to avoid the fields around the town and not to approach the animal if they spot it, Antena 3 reports.
Granada City Council has sent environmental agents to search the area along with Civil Guard Seprona agents.
The teams are using thermal imaging cameras and helicopters to patrol the area from above as well.
The animal had first been cited but not confirmed a few days earlier, but the confirmation came when a cyclist managed to get a clear photograph of the big cat, confirming its existence, 20 Minutos reports.
The panther is believed to be constantly changing its location and is believed to be travelling between the neighbouring towns.
It is not yet known where the panther originally came from.
An phone picture of the panther taken by a local resident who claims she saw the animal when she went for a walk 
The Spanish Civil Guard checking the premises where the panther was supposedly seen trying to find tracks of the animal
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below.
Story By: Pol F, Sub-Editor: James King, Agency: Newsflash
The Ananova page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.
