Cat-astrophe averted: Flagstaff Gardens’ leopard mystery solved 

Some local residents have raised concerns over an unusual sighting in Flagstaff Gardens, with reports of a leopard-like creature spotted lurking among the trees.

But fear not! CBD News can confirm that this mysterious animal poses no threat to the community. It’s none other than Leo, the Snow Bengal cat, whose striking appearance closely resembles that of his larger feline cousins.

At nearly six months old, Leo has adapted beautifully to the CBD lifestyle, living with his owners, Sean and Preston, in a nearby apartment.

Originally a dog person, Sean admits he “never thought I’d be a cat person” before meeting Leo.

“Preston is 100 per cent a cat person. I wanted a dog, but then I cat-sat for a couple of my friends and, contrary to my beliefs, the cats were pretty affectionate. The more I looked into it, the more I thought a cat could be interesting,” Sean said.

“We came across Bengals and looked at the pros and cons to make sure that [the breed] was the right fit. They’re very loyal, super-affectionate and very active - they can be walked on the leash and do tricks. That sounded perfect for me, it’s exactly what I wanted for a dog, but in a cat.”

Despite his young age, Leo has already gained confidence navigating city life - he can even walk home from the park on his own.

“We often just carry him to the park, but the last couple of times, there were not many people on the street, and he was trying to jump out, which he’s never done before. We put him on the ground, and he just started walking,” Sean told CBD News.

Although initially hesitant about getting a cat, Sean says Leo has brought so much joy and humour into his and Preston’s lives that he, Sean, is now “fully identifying” as a cat person.

“Every morning without fail, Leo will bring his toys in to play fetch. Once he’s satisfied, he’ll quieten down and just sleep in between us - he’s so funny,” Sean said. 

“I look forward to coming home now and getting cuddles.” •