All this Big Cat sighting conundrum...
Discussion
You've no doubt heard all the stories of these black cat sightings across the UK, and to be honest I thought they were all b
ks. There've been a few stories on the local paper (westmorland gazette, cumbria/yorkshire area in general) in the last few months, with picture evidence of course, but nothing that couldn't have been photoshopped or even just a particularly large domestic cat from a long distance. I also presumed that the landscape of Britain couldn't provide as an effective habitat for such an animal, and even more so hide them from view of the public so well.
But today a colleague who lives 50 metres away told me that her husband (who I know relatively well to say hello to, etc.) was walking his dogs back home (we live in a village near Kirkby Lonsdale- just on the outskirts where there are open fields and foresty areas) and dropping down the small road to his house, witnessed a large black animal slinking across from one side to the other about 30 metres away. At first he thought it was a large black dog, but upon noticing a long black tail and a feline walk, he now swears it was a large black cat sighting- at least the same size, if not bigger than his boxer dog, and was out of sight by the time he had reached the area he spotted it in.
Before hearing this, as I said, I didn't believe a word, but hearing such a story from someone very down to earth, and who I know and trust relatively well, I'm not so sure anymore. Especially concerning the fact that this thing was spotted within 50 metres from my house haha.
So, opinions / sightings anyone?
ks. There've been a few stories on the local paper (westmorland gazette, cumbria/yorkshire area in general) in the last few months, with picture evidence of course, but nothing that couldn't have been photoshopped or even just a particularly large domestic cat from a long distance. I also presumed that the landscape of Britain couldn't provide as an effective habitat for such an animal, and even more so hide them from view of the public so well.But today a colleague who lives 50 metres away told me that her husband (who I know relatively well to say hello to, etc.) was walking his dogs back home (we live in a village near Kirkby Lonsdale- just on the outskirts where there are open fields and foresty areas) and dropping down the small road to his house, witnessed a large black animal slinking across from one side to the other about 30 metres away. At first he thought it was a large black dog, but upon noticing a long black tail and a feline walk, he now swears it was a large black cat sighting- at least the same size, if not bigger than his boxer dog, and was out of sight by the time he had reached the area he spotted it in.
Before hearing this, as I said, I didn't believe a word, but hearing such a story from someone very down to earth, and who I know and trust relatively well, I'm not so sure anymore. Especially concerning the fact that this thing was spotted within 50 metres from my house haha.
So, opinions / sightings anyone?
It doesn't surprise me really. Where I grew up and even more so where I went to University in Canada there would be Cougar (Mountain Lion) sightings from time to time. I spent a fair amount of time in the wilderness and the accumulated wisdom always was - if you see a Cougar it is because it let itself be seen. Big cats are very stealthy, shy and secretive and it is really easy for them to exist somewhere reasonably populated without being seen much. Even then it is usually only a fleeting glance. I've seen literally dozens of bears during my time in the wilderness, hundreds of coyotes and big game, a few wolves and the odd Orca (Killer Whale), but I have never, ever seen a big Cat. There's probably a lot more kicking around England than anyone realises!
Redneck Rocket said:
It doesn't surprise me really. Where I grew up and even more so where I went to University in Canada there would be Cougar (Mountain Lion) sightings from time to time. I spent a fair amount of time in the wilderness and the accumulated wisdom always was - if you see a Cougar it is because it let itself be seen. Big cats are very stealthy, shy and secretive and it is really easy for them to exist somewhere reasonably populated without being seen much. Even then it is usually only a fleeting glance. I've seen literally dozens of bears during my time in the wilderness, hundreds of coyotes and big game, a few wolves and the odd Orca (Killer Whale), but I have never, ever seen a big Cat. There's probably a lot more kicking around England than anyone realises!
I agree, as an avid wildlife fan big cats are usually very secretive and stealthy. They have to be in order to not be attacked by bigger big cats. Lions will sit quite happily in full view as they have no natural predators. However almost, infact every other big cat i can think of at this late hour remains hidden unless actively hunting. It is a survival trait.Given the number of rabbits etc in the UK i think it perfectly plausible for big cats to not only exist but survive quite well in small numbers without being "discovered" The question remains however in how did a big cat get to be living in the wild in the UK. A guess would be an escaped animal from a zoo, but that would almost certainly be reported to the authorities. So my guess would be people owning them illegally and releasing them if they think they are about to be caught.
This happens fairly often in Miami as owning a big cat is a kudos thing for the drug dealers. They usually have their drug empire pretty well covered so the police are never able to prosecute them even tho they know they are drug dealers. So they would use anything they can including keeping a dangerous animal to get them prosecuted, the judge gets the wink and he bangs them up for the maximum sentance just to get them off the street. Remember Al Capone was only convicted of tax evasion, the pilice couldn't get the evidence required for his crimes.
Edited by welshbikerduck on Wednesday 29th October 01:05
What surprises me is that people are surprised about these sighting! There's absolutely no reason why a big cat couldn't live in the UK - plenty of forested areas and an unlimited supply of rabbits and deer. Let's say some bloke obtains two baby panthers as 'pets'. Baby panthers grow into huge adult panthers. Bloke thinks "sod this" and releases them. Panthers mate and have baby panthers. Not all that unlikely really...
welshbikerduck said:
The question remains however in how did a big cat get to be living in the wild in the UK. A guess would be an escaped animal from a zoo, but that would almost certainly be reported to the authorities. So my guess would be people owning them illegally and releasing them if they think they are about to be caught.
Up until the 70s it was legal to keep big cats etc, when it was law that you needed special permits, not all owners got the permits, and many may have simply released them into the wild...Edited to add - it was the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
Edited by Fatboy on Wednesday 29th October 18:41
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