A BIG black cat the size of a large german shepherd has been spotted in Warburton East.

Lilydale’s Kevin Manners was strolling along the O’Shannassy Aqueduct trail when the sleek, muscular animal climbed out and stared at him about noon on Saturday, April 8.

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Mr Manners said the jet black animal, significantly larger than a domestic cat, was standing only 20m down the track before it leapt into the bush below.

This sighting comes only months after a Kalorama couple spotted a pair of mysterious felines in the Toolangi bush.

media_camera Kevin Manners from Lilydale said he spotted a big black cat only 20m away from him on a Warburton walking track this month. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Tim Hurley, 25, and his girlfriend were driving on a bush track near the Maroondah Reservoir heading to Mt Saint Leonard lookout when they saw two huge black cats on December 4.

The legend of big black cats has been one of the most enduring mysteries of the Yarra Ranges, with hundreds of sightings reported to authorities over the years.

But despite a 2012 State Government report saying the existence of big cats in Victoria was unlikely, many disagree.

Mr Manners said the creature took him by surprise and was the size of a very large german shepherd.

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He said he had a very clear view of the animal and described it as having a catlike face, short soft-looking jet black fur, a very long even tail — unlike a kangaroo’s — muscled front shoulders and big padded feet.

“It took one look at me and leapt across the track, crashing loudly into bush below,” he said.

But as the shocked man went to retrieve his mobile phone, the feline was gone from sight. Mr Manners often goes bushwalking along the track.

Expert backs up latest big cat sighting

“It’s not something I would have expected to see in my lifetime,” he said.

Mr Manners said photos of panthers and pumas he had seen on Google bore a striking resemblance to the cat he spotted.