Video evidence gives newcredence to Beast of Bodmin

22 July 1998

Video ‘evidence’ gives new
credence to Beast of Bodmin

THE Ministry of Agriculture is to look at “new evidence” of the authenticity of the Beast of Bodmin.

Wildlife experts believe a 20-second piece of video footage shown yesterday provides proof of the existence of the large wild cats.

The amateur film was shot this year in an unidentified moorland location close to Jamaica Inn, south west of Launceston, Cornwall.

But three years ago an inquiry by the Governments Agricultural Development Advisory Service concluded there was no significant threat to livestock and “no verifiable evidence for the presence of a big cat”. The investigation came after 50 reported sightings and livestock kills.

• The Guardian 22/07/98 page 6
• The Times 22/07/98 page 1, page 2
• The Independent 22/07/98 page 9