Mystery over huge beast-like footprints found in secluded Leeds woods

Two members from the Yorkshire Outdoor Hunters group discovered the prints when out geocaching in a secluded wooded area on Wednesday.

The area, which is in between Temple Newsam and Leeds 10, is "inaccessible to the general public" according to one group member which dismisses suggestions that the giant footprints could be from a dog.

The Outdoor Hunters were planning on going back to the woods today (Thursday) to set up a capture camera where the footsteps were which would be activated if anything were to pass the tracks but the snow fall in Leeds has prevented them from doing so.

One of the Hunters who discovered the footsteps, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "When I first saw the footprints I said 'what are these?'

"I thought they were from a large dog or fox but if it was a dog there were no human footprints to go with it so it's unlikely.

"Especially as you have to go down the side of a river bank and through a fence to access the location so it's not likely that dog walkers would go there.

"I posted the pictures on Facebook thinking someone would know for a fact what they were but no-one has suggested anything definite."

Facebook users have jokingly suggested that the giant footprints are from a tiger, a gruffalo or a hippo amongst some suggestions that they must be from a dog.

The Hunter said that deer and badger tracks are easy to spot so it wasn't likely to be from these animals.

The duo have spotted footprints before but nothing as large and mysterious as these.

They intend to return when the weather is better to try and solve the mystery with a camera and some dog or cat food.