John's a Big Cat Believer

John's a Big Cat Believer
Aleks Devic
BARWON Heads resident John Turner is a believer.
He believes black panthers and wild cats are roaming throughout the Otways.
While many people are sceptical about the wild cat stories, the argument has been ongoing since World War II, when American soldiers were allegedly spotted walking with the beasts. Mr Turner, who is also a World War II veteran, said he became interested in big cats when he saw his first one at Beechworth in 1972.
``It's not easily forgotten because when you see something that is unexpected it stays in your mind it's like a car accident, you will never forget it.''
Strategically placed cameras in the Otways have failed to deliver proof but dead carcasses on farms, with only skeleton remains, makes suspicions grow that a panther or puma like creature exists.
Mr Turner said the big cats were most likely lurking in the Otways, Central Highlands and Wilsons Promontory.
Another big cat researcher and former Surf Coast Shire councillor Simon Townsend said a foal was found last September mutilated at a Modewarre farm, with all its insides and skin eaten. Mr Turner and Mr Townsend have been working as a team for the last 10 years together attempting to put an end to the mystery and also have more than 30 years of research into black cats behind them.
Mr Turner said they had put cameras in the Otways in their attempt to snare the creature but had not been successful in capturing an image.
Mr Townsend said while the pair received many reports of sightings, several were false but some descriptions given could not be mistaken for a feral cat.
The Echo: 31st January 2008