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DNA tests have concluded that a mystery beast lurking in the Gloucestershire countryside, suspected of being responsible for grisly attacks on deer, is not the "big cat" that locals feared.
The tests, commissioned by the National Trust last month, were the first attempts to use DNA to verify long-standing rumours that big cats live wild in parts of the UK. Two deer carcasses were found in Woodchester Park, near Stroud last month.
Scientists at the University of Warwick tested 45 samples from the two carcasses and failed to detect any cat DNA. Undeterred, local big cat enthusiasts remain convinced that something is out there. Experts said at the time that the deer bore all the hallmarks of a big cat kill.
Whatever killed Gloucestershire deer, it wasn't a panther...
Seeded on Thu Feb 2, 2012 4:16 PM EST
Article Source: Independent.co.uk- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
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David Armstrong, head ranger for the National Trust in Gloucestershire, said: "The story of the investigation of the dead deer has really sparked off local curiosity with a lot of people coming out to Woodchester Park to explore.
"People love a mystery like this and although we haven't found a wild cat, many of our visitors clearly believe there might be something interesting living quietly hidden in Woodchester."
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