A local filmmaker is so intrigued by persistent reports of big cat sightings in the province that he’s started gathering information for a documentary on the topic.

Roger Maunder has heard the odd story over the years, but didn’t become interested in the possibility of big cats here until he spoke with a friend who had his own sighting.

He’s still in the preliminary stages of researching the topic, but he’s amazed at the number of people who claim they’ve seen the mysterious animals.

That includes his friend who saw what he thinks was a cougar in the Central Newfoundland area.