A surprised motorist stopped after spotting what appeared to be a 'panther-like' big cat in a field. Classic car enthusiast and YouTuber Geoff Thompson spotted what he believes was a panther whilst driving between Great Witley and Martley, in Worcestershire.

While pulling over to take photographs of his vintage Renault 10 on Sunday, April 14, Geoff spotted the large dark cat-like shape in a nearby field. GloucestershireLive reports that, after closer investigation, he discovered footprints which solidified his conviction that he had spotted a panther.

Geoff said: "I just went out for a sunny drive. I noticed it as I started photographing my car. I think it was a panther."

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Filming the animal moving about the field, Geoff can be heard questioning what exactly he was looking at. During the 24-second clip where Geoff can be heard uttering, "What the heck is that animal?!"

Geoff, who hosts 'Geoff Buys Cars' on YouTube, ventured into the field to follow the elusive creature's path. He explained: "I saw this mystery animal so I'm going to take a stroll down this field and see how much mud there is at the bottom. The ground is very wet so if there are any prints or anything we'll see them. There's no dog walkers there's no one it's early in the morning no one's around no one at all."

The animal (CIRCLED), recorded in the field in Worcestershire. Release date – April 15, 2024. A man catches a 'panther' walking through a field next to an isolated rural road - on film. Geoff Thompson, 37 from Worcester had pulled over in a layby on a country lane between Great Witley and Martley, in Worcestershire, to take photographs of his beloved classic Renault 10 - when he noticed something strange in the distance. At just after 10am on the morning of Sunday 14th April, the YouTuber and classic car enthusiast said: “I just went out for a sunny drive… I noticed it as I started photographing my car. “I think it was a panther.” In the 24 second video, filmed on Mr. Thompson’s mobile phone, he can be heard exclaiming, “What the heck is that animal?!” - as a large black animal crosses the field in front of him before disappearing behind some trees. Mr. Thompson, who runs the popular YouTube channel Geoff Buys Cars, attempted to track the animal and record evidence of its tracks, making a short film of his antics and taking several photographs.

Being fascinated by big cats since he was a child, found the encounter quite amusing, saying: "Big cats have always been a bit of an obsession, fascination of mine since I was a kid so to actually see something odd while out and about is pretty funny in my book."

He got in touch with big cat researcher and filmmaker, Tim Whittard, who produced the award-winning documentary 'Panthera Britannia Declassified', which claims to prove that big cats are living in wilderness of rural Britain.

Tim, 38, from Gloucester, shared the video with other experts. He explained: "I have had some of my colleagues look over it and while we can't definitively say it was a big cat, the possibility remains on the table.

Paw prints of the animal that was recorded in the Worcestershire field. Release date April 15, 2024. A man catches a 'panther' walking through a field next to an isolated rural road - on film. Geoff Thompson, 37 from Worcester had pulled over in a layby on a country lane between Great Witley and Martley, in Worcestershire, to take photographs of his beloved classic Renault 10 - when he noticed something strange in the distance. At just after 10am on the morning of Sunday 14th April, the YouTuber and classic car enthusiast said: I just went out for a sunny drive I noticed it as I started photographing my car. I think it was a panther. In the 24 second video, filmed on Mr. Thompsons mobile phone, he can be heard exclaiming, What the heck is that animal?! - as a large black animal crosses the field in front of him before disappearing behind some trees. Mr. Thompson, who runs the popular YouTube channel Geoff Buys Cars, attempted to track the animal and record evidence of its tracks, making a short film of his antics and taking several photographs.

'It absolutely could have been a big cat. Consensus seems to suggest that the majority of the tracks photographed are more likely to be dog than anything else, so whilst the tracks do not yield positive proof, the video of the sighting itself is very organic, very natural and we can't rule out a cat.

This is not the first time big cats have been seen in the area and numerous people commented on Geoff's video to report their own experiences. One said said: "I've seen a black cat in that area about 10 to 15 years ago.

Another added: "There are big cats out there... Seen one about 20 years ago about 100 yards ahead of me. Lucky for me, I was in my car at the time.

One person also shared: "I'm going with panther... A friend tracks them in Wiltshire, I've seen similar photos, telephone poles with scratches on, height indicates big cat.

"Personally I saw something panther-like in Wiltshire one night drive. Can't be sure but will never forget the tail."

The documentary that investigates the presence of big cats in Britain, titled 'Panthera Britannia Declassified', can be rented or purchased on Prime Video and Apple Movies.

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