The Ankerdine Hill Beast

[Chris Mullins]

Friends,

I would really like to know more regards the Ankerdine Hill Beast sighted at Knightwick in Worcestershire during the summer of 2003 - 2004, to determine whether or not a survey would be appropriate on this occasion, due to the possibility of it being nothing more than a fox with mange.

Therefore we need as many people to come forwards with information regarding this animal as possible, if you know of anything, or of anyone who does know, then please let us know at: [e-mail]

[redditchlady]

We both would, Chris, as you remember I tried to get up there last year. Horrible place to try to park a Ranger I suspect a fox with mange or as Amelia said a Hyena at the time. Why dont we post the pic on the Yahoo site and let the members see what they think, the sketch I mean. Kazz xx

[Chris Mullins]

Yes I think we should, I'd be very interested to hear other members opinions on it.

I'll do that tomorrow when I've sorted it out.

[Chris Mullins]

Hi all, as promise here's the pic of the Ankerdine Hill Beast, I had sent in, I'd really appreciate some feedback on this if at all possible, the witness didn't however see the tail, but it gave her the impression of a Hyena, there's been a lot of foxes with mange seen of recent, so I'd keep the fact that this is only a drawing in mind.

[Bullseye]

Maned Wolf?, though they don't have spots. The long mane and the spots suggest a Brown Hyeana, but they are quite a lot larger than a fox and pretty easy to identify !.

[Chris Mullins]

Hi Michael,

I would've agreed with you, however I sent images of both Brown Hyena and Maned Wolf to the witness, as both of these entered my mind as well at the time, but she said niether of them were anything like what she saw, even though she said the creature put her in mind of a Hyena, hmmm.

So keeping my feet on the ground, all I can think of really is as Jan said in her post, (don't know where it's gone now) a Fox or Dog with mange, unless something else crops up, as I feel if it was a Hyena we'd have heard about it before now, as this was sighted back in the summer of 2003.

These are my thoughts anyhow.

Does anyone have reports of livestock attacks in or around this area at about the same time?

And is there any other suggestions?

[Chris Mullins]

Just thought I'd very quickly say, I've now taken 5 reports to date regards the "Ankerdine Hill Beast" between the periods of 2002 - 2004.

All reports appear to coincide with one another, which describes a large light reddish animal larger than a Fox, but niether Fox nor Dog, with brown mottled patches and in an emancipated condition, the mane hasn't alway been seen, however this may be due to weather conditions at the time, also no witnesses have reported seeing a tail.

Theories Anyone.......??

[lindowman146]

Dont know about the mane but are African Hunting Dogs spotty? I saw some in a zoo and one might fit the description.

[redditchlady]

www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/157.shtml

A linky to the African Hunting Dog.

Looks similar to me. I am still veering toward a fox with Mange though.

Kazz