If you go down to Crosser today, you might just meet our elusive puma

VETS are on standby if needed to tranquilise the elusive Crosshaven puma, whose existence has yet to be confirmed.

The wild animal has been the talk down Crosser and Fountainstown way for the past two weeks, with several reported sightings of the large cat in the area.

The CSPCA confirmed that they had received six sightings of the animal in nine days by members of the public and said that these ‘credible sightings warranted an investigation.’ Descriptions say the animal is like a labrador dog, but with a longer tale.

‘Several people have contacted us with reports of sightings of a blackish puma and we want to get photographic evidence first,’ a CSPCA spokesperson told The Southern Star.

‘We are waiting on a confirmation of a sighting and we have set down trail cameras which are motion-sensitive  and traps to see if we can try and track the animal and get an ID on it.’

The CSPCA says its aim is to catch the puma alive but the organisation has vets on standby if the animal needs to be tranquilised.

The CSPCA is advising the public not to approach the animal if they happen to come across it, as it can become extremely dangerous if cornered or frightened.

It also appears that the puma has now got its very own Twitter account @CorkPuma and has been tweeting since last weekend much to the amusement of those who have started following it – with one tweet saying ‘I’m only chillin’ out here in Fountainstown.’ 

Meanwhile, a video of an alleged sighting of the ‘Cork Puma’ in Crosshaven went viral last weekend after being posted by Gretta Higgins. 

Unfortunately, the puma seen in the woods in the video was of the human kind as Gretta and her friends had a bit of fun filming their alternative version of the story that has captivated the nation.