(Original headline: 'I COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT I'D SEEN' )
Wildlife devotee Lee Rollings believes he spotted Lincolnshire's roaming black panther in a city park.
Mr Rollings, of Lincoln's Swan Preservation Society, says he saw the mysterious animal on the outskirts of Boultham Park.
The 33-year-old was making his way back home to Boundary Street, Lincoln, when the big cat appeared on the path in front of him.
It is the latest in a series of sightings of a large black cat in the area around Bracebridge Heath and Waddington, near Lincoln.
A black panther has also been spotted at least 12 times by holidaymakers at Lowfields Country Estate in Eagle Road, North Scarle, near Lincoln.
A panther living in Lincolnshire could have a territory of up to 20 miles leading experts to believe it could be the same animal.
The beast has been spotted as far afield as Wrawby, near Brigg in North Lincolnshire, prompting speculation it is the same animal.
Mr Rollings said he was convinced he saw a big cat on a cycle path which follows the River Witham on the outskirts of Boultham Park on April 2.
"I was making my way along the path when it appeared in front of me," he said.
"It was jet black and about the size of a labrador but it was definitely a cat.
"It looked at me for a few seconds and then ran off - I couldn't believe what I'd seen."
The Echo has also received reports of another big cat sighting in the east of the county.
Panel beater Gordon Bell (62), of Alder Close in North Hykeham, near Lincoln, believes he saw a puma while walking his dog near Sutton-on-Sea last June.
"I was with my wife Sheila and it was at twilight," he said.
"We were walking our golden retriever along a country lane and I just happened to turn around to see an animal coming out of the field behind us.
"It was brown in colour and definitely wasn't a dog because of the way it moved and the fact it was longer and taller than a dog.
"I was about 50 yards away but I would say it was bigger than our golden retriever."
Echo wildlife correspondent Roger Goy said he thought there was a strong possibility that big cats were roaming the Lincolnshire countryside.
"There seem to have been regular sightings in concentrated areas," he said.
"We do need more proof and I think as time goes on, and the animals get older, we may eventually come across the body of one.
"For now it's just a case of reporting all the sightings to see if we can build up a firm pattern."
