For those interested in Big Cat sightings...

Ukwildlifeo · #11 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 01:46 PM

Its interesting stuff. You've got to take it with a pinch of salt but it makes you wonder if there is something to some of them. I was amused that there was a sighting where I went yesterday. I didn't see any big cats there though....

Jim Ford · #12 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 03:27 PM

With the U.K. virtually seething with 'big cats' it's odd that there aren't any convincing photo's.

There was a programme on T.V. some years back where someone was investigating every livestock kill by 'big cats'. In every case he demonstrated clearly that the damage was typically that caused by dogs.

Jim

epops · #13 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 03:58 PM

A mate and i have been looking for an alleged big cat for the past year,someone saw it by the A12 in Essex we've had stake outs at night and day but nothing plausible yet apart from what we thought to be a large animal that ran before we could get close to it,maybe it was a big cat maybe not who knows?

fairplay · #14 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 05:55 PM

I allegedly saw a flying saucer (minus the cup) this morning, it flew very low, in fact so low an alleged BIG CAT (back to topic !) suddenly jumped up and brought it down, then ate the aliens before I could reach them.
Bad cat.

Neil.

Picidae · #15 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairplay

You're having a laugh aint' ya

How can anybody be expected to take that map seriously.

Neil.

I agree with Jason - thanks for posting Flywaver and welcome to the forum. Obviously the people posting on that sightings map were 'serious' although the 'shocked' smilie and smile smilie on Flywaver's post probably sums up a healthy scepticism !!

diggleken · #16 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 09:22 AM

yeah, cheers flywaver, interesting stuff.
Some of these will be spurious, some misid'd, but some will be genuine - the ones at dobcross and wessenden moor, near me, seem so and they tie in with a sighting I know of.
In the countryside centre, a chap talked to me about a big black cat that scared the s... out of his dog - the dog knew it was there before it was spotted and ran home out of control. Very plausible detail -that sort of experience just calls the doubters into question I think.
Elements of realistic needed yes, but also a few quite likelies, so keep a look out.

Cheers
Ken

Flywaver · #17 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 01:01 PM

I see lots of wildlife in my job and feel pretty lucky although some of it i hit on my Train. Last Sunday a Pheasant almost took the windscreen off at 90mph
A total mess i can tell you. Had to take the Train out of service. Just lucky its heavily laminated. Anyway...... I have come across a few Drivers in my 18 year career who have witnessed these Cats. Bear in mind our vision needs to be spot on. A chap at my depot saw one near Ketton.Thought nothing of it at first untill the Black Cat crossed the 4foot. Which is our guage.....
Anyone know a Tabby that length?
Another Driver had one chase a Hare outside Kings Lynn on his approach there. Years ago another chap told me he saw one dragging a road kill near Epping Forest. I havent witnessed anything unusual i have to say. Im happy seeing Barn Owls on the trackside as long as i dont collide with them

diggleken · #18 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 04:08 PM

errr, pedantic old grumpy here, 4'8.5'' is closer?

(and yes, I know its called the 4ft)
tee hee, with apologies,
Ken

ollyk · #19 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 09:04 PM

Anyone remembers Riber castle zoo? It is said a Lynx escaped when animals were auctioned off after it was closed down! You only have to see how animals were treated during this period to realise that there might be some truth to this!

Alex90 · #20 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 11:17 PM

I have no doubt there are big cats around in the UK, and have had a few friends see them.

There was a big cat over my way that a friend told me about when speaking to him, He used to keep chickens out the back of his house around 10 years ago and one morning woke up to the sound of the chickens panicking went out and saw a large black cat jump straigh up onto the roof of the garages (7ft) he ran roudn the back and saw it disappearing into some fields. 2 weeks after this there was a black panther shot and killed on hayling island just over 20 miles away, there was a news paper report on this at the time. Seeing as the guy is an extremely well respected zoologist and has kept hundreds of species in his private collection including leopards, puma's and jaguars i doubt very much whether he would have got this sighting wrong.

there have been a number of incidents where big cats have been killed by cars although most common are lynx and other smaller felines. most of these cases are not highly publicised.

However despite my belief there are certainly big cats around or have been around that map doesnt appear to be terribly reliable seeing as there are big cat sightings in the center of some very large cities including london ... did anyone tell people that zoo sightings don't count?