Museum scientists had shown that far from being an exotic animal living in the heart of the English countryside, this leopard had been killed for a trophy (possibly in contravention of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, unless an antique).

Then, as a hoax, it had been dropped in a Bodmin river, where it was eventually found and brought to The Natural History Museum.

The case of this particular beast of Bodmin Moor had been solved.

(Suggested further reading)