The Beast of Exmoor

The Beast of Exmoor roams the moors of England, searching for prey. The Beast, a cross between a puma and a panther, is more than seven feet long from nose to tail, pitch-black in color, and slunk low to the ground as it hunts. While in the moors, the main prey of the Beast is livestock, but when it ventures into populated areas, family pets are its favorite midnight snack. Occasionally hikers have spied the beast fishing with its paws like a bear.

What is the Beast of Exmoor

The big cat is said to roam the fields of Exmoor in Devon and Somerset in the UK.

Sightings of the Beast of Exmoor began in the 1970s. The Beast didn’t become notorious until 1983, when South Molton farmer Eric Ley claimed to have lost over 100 sheep in three months. All of the livestock succumbed to violent throat injuries. There have also been sightings of the beast fishing with its paws in the River Barle at Simonsbath. Some believe that the Beast makes its lair in abandoned mines near the river. The Daily Express (a tabloid) offered a reward for the capture or slaying of the Beast. Livestock death in the area has been blamed on the Beast ever since.

Government Involvement

Shortly after Eric Ley claimed the Beast had killed his livestock, the Ministry of Agriculture ordered the Royal Marined to send snipers into the hills of Exmoor. Some of the Marines climbed to have glimpsed the Beast. They fired no shots. This was due mainly to the fact they were packing…