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A leopard escaped from a private zoo in Cornwall just after Christmas, police have confirmed.

The animal was recaptured following reports that sheep had been killed in the area.

Cornwall Live reports that the wild cat, which is usually kept at a private property in Great Treverran, near Par, ran off in late December.

A "weather incident" is reported to have been blamed for its vanishing act.

The clouded leopard is apparently kept as part of a private collection also including other interesting animals.

(Image: AP/WWF)

An anonymous tip-off to The Herald's sister title revealed what happened.

The source said: "The leopard escaped on Boxing Day. It stayed around the property for a while before disappearing.

"It is thought to have killed sheep and it started to live in a barn where small children play sometimes."

Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the incident and said an attack on local sheep was indeed reported.

A spokesperson for the force said: "Police were informed by the owner of a clouded leopard that his animal had escaped its inner compound on Boxing Day (Tuesday, December 26, 2017) in Fowey.

"The leopard was still in its outer compound and efforts were being made by the owner to re-capture the animal.



"Officers were then informed by a local farmer that the leopard had broken out of its compound and had allegedly attacked some of his sheep.





"The animal was re-captured."

The owner of the leopard is thought to have a private collection of wild animals at his property.

"The owner of the animal that escaped does have the appropriate dangerous wild animal license," a spokeswoman for Cornwall Council confirmed.

"A full audit of the premises and licence has been undertaken and the circumstances surrounding the escape fully investigated.

"The incident occurred due to an unforeseeable severe weather event causing a flood in an area not known to be subject to flooding.

"The owner has taken appropriate measures to prevent possible future flooding events from affecting the security of the site."

To keep certain species of wild animals, a licence must be obtained from County Hall.

The spokeswoman added: "There is a rigorous application process and set of conditions in place which must be satisfied before a licence is granted, including public safety, animal welfare and the suitability of the premises for keeping the wild animal."