THE public are being warned to keep a look out for a puma as the search continues to find the Beast of Bucks.

Experts confirmed tracks of a young puma were found on Wycombe Heights golf course, Rayners Avenue, Loudwater, after sightings of a large cat were reported to the police just before 11am on Monday.

Animal specialist, Trevor Smith, was called to help police after they took plaster casts of paw prints at the scene.

Mr Smith said: "We are warning everyone not to approach it but to give us a call."

He added: "When the weather is pouring down they (the puma) will be hiding somewhere so we will be going out with our night scopes tonight, which are for total darkness.

"But unfortunately we cannot do any more. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack. Until the public come back to us, it is difficult."

He said they have found a temporary home for when they catch it.

Mr Smith added: "Everything is ready to go. We have catching sticks and boxes. We believe it is illegally kept and no-one wants to claim it."

The cat is more commonly known as a mountain lion, and has already been blamed for the death of a domestic cat and several squirrels whose severed tails were discovered in the area.

In the wild, pumas can grow to 7ft in length and stand at 4ft tall.

Graham Lowe, Wycombe Heights Golf Course manager, said the puma was spotted by a golfer at the club and a farming couple who live nearby.

If you see the dangerous cat call High Wycombe police on 01494 465888 or Trevor Smith on 01494 448710.