The Cooper's Island Nature Reserve has been reopened to the public after a “wild animal” spotted in the park was identified as a “rather large feral cat”.

Yesterday afternoon, a Police spokesman said officers, representatives from the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo and Parks Department officials attended the St David's Park after receiving unverified reports of a wild animal.

He stated that the gates to the park were subsequently closed “in an abundance of caution”, with the representatives set to return to the park this morning to make a final assessment.

The Department of Parks this morning announced that it had reopened the park, saying: “A member of the public reported seeing a large animal in the park yesterday evening and Parks staff attended the area and closed the park to investigate.

“It is believed that the animal seen is a rather large feral cat from St David's known to frequent the park.”