Truth behind mystery of Highgate big cat is revealed
Its dusty yellow fur speckled with leopard print spots and tiger stripes resembles a wild cat straight out of the African desert.
But this mystery cat has been found far closer to home – prowling the streets of Highgate.
Bemused residents first spotted the un-familiar feline, known as the ‘Beast of Shepherd’s Hill’ in early July, but its origin remained a mystery – until now.
The Ham&High can now exclusively reveal that the exotic looking pet is in fact a Savannah cat – a designer feline thought to be worth thousands of pounds.
Will Newcomb, a Shepherd’s Hill resident who has seen the cat several times dating back to early July, said: “It is certainly the oddest looking cat we have ever seen round here.
“My neighbours and I have never seen anything like it. It looks like something straight out of the African desert.
“It just wanders into our house, although it doesn’t appear to be very friendly – when we approached it, it just ran off.”
Most Read
- 1 Fences and padlocks at Primrose Hill once again
- 2 Free beach returns to Finchley Road for the summer
- 3 Royal Free denies allowing Tory MP to influence medical decision
- 4 George Michael's Highgate piano to be auctioned off
- 5 Crouch End Festival: 'Back with a bang bigger than ever'
- 6 Alleged stalker sent '1,000 emails in a month’ to The Crown star Claire Foy
- 7 'Do the right thing': Locket containing baby's ashes stolen from car
- 8 Fans pray for Bosco 'and his big stick' as he goes into surgery
- 9 Bow Lock murder: Victim's two girlfriends give evidence at Old Bailey
- 10 'Gabriels stun Koko – superstardom seems inevitable'
The puss is a cross between a serval, a large wild cat found in Africa, and a domestic cat and was first registered as a breed in 2001.
They are very loyal to their owners and, like dogs, can be taught to fetch and be walked on a leash.