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'Big cats are out there', say two Gloucestershire trackers | 'Big cats are out there', say two Gloucestershire trackers |
(about 11 hours later) | |
By Chris Sandys BBC News | By Chris Sandys BBC News |
"I've been ridiculed, called deluded, told to get a life and all sorts of things," says 65-year-old semi-retired wildlife enthusiast Frank Tunbridge. | "I've been ridiculed, called deluded, told to get a life and all sorts of things," says 65-year-old semi-retired wildlife enthusiast Frank Tunbridge. |
He is passionate about a species of which its mere existence is hotly debated: Wild big cats in the UK. | He is passionate about a species of which its mere existence is hotly debated: Wild big cats in the UK. |
"I know they are out there," said Mr Tunbridge, who has spent nearly 25 years investigating Gloucestershire's reported big cats. | "I know they are out there," said Mr Tunbridge, who has spent nearly 25 years investigating Gloucestershire's reported big cats. |
He said that on average he received two sightings a week from across the county. | He said that on average he received two sightings a week from across the county. |
His passion is equalled by that of Rick Minter, 50, who has written a book about big cats in the wilds of Britain. | His passion is equalled by that of Rick Minter, 50, who has written a book about big cats in the wilds of Britain. |
'Own little world' | 'Own little world' |
"The main candidates for the larger types of feral big cats being reported in Britain are puma-type cats and panthers," he said. | "The main candidates for the larger types of feral big cats being reported in Britain are puma-type cats and panthers," he said. |
"A puma is a sandy-grey coloured cat, also known as cougar and mountain lion. A black panther is biologically a leopard or a jaguar in its black form." | "A puma is a sandy-grey coloured cat, also known as cougar and mountain lion. A black panther is biologically a leopard or a jaguar in its black form." |
Mr Minter admitted some people just found the idea of big cats roaming wild in the English countryside too incredible to believe. | Mr Minter admitted some people just found the idea of big cats roaming wild in the English countryside too incredible to believe. |
"You do feel largely like you are beavering away in your own little world," he said. | "You do feel largely like you are beavering away in your own little world," he said. |
"Then, suddenly January 2012 comes along and half the nation's media are tracking your every step. | "Then, suddenly January 2012 comes along and half the nation's media are tracking your every step. |
"You're suddenly engulfed with emails and reporters and programmes wanting to know about the latest deer carcass or your view on 'X' in relation to big cats." | "You're suddenly engulfed with emails and reporters and programmes wanting to know about the latest deer carcass or your view on 'X' in relation to big cats." |
The incident he refers to came about when the National Trust announced that it had called for DNA tests to be carried out on a deer carcass found on its land near Stroud, Gloucestershire. | The incident he refers to came about when the National Trust announced that it had called for DNA tests to be carried out on a deer carcass found on its land near Stroud, Gloucestershire. |
A trust spokesman had initially said the deer's injuries - and way the carcass had been eaten by its killer - were thought to be "highly indicative of big cat activity". | A trust spokesman had initially said the deer's injuries - and way the carcass had been eaten by its killer - were thought to be "highly indicative of big cat activity". |
But three weeks later the results are back and they are negative to the idea of a big cat predator. Fox and deer DNA are the only traces found on the swabs taken. | But three weeks later the results are back and they are negative to the idea of a big cat predator. Fox and deer DNA are the only traces found on the swabs taken. |
But Mr Tunbridge said he still believed the big cats were out there - and said he had his own close encounter to prove it. | But Mr Tunbridge said he still believed the big cats were out there - and said he had his own close encounter to prove it. |
'Jungle cat' | 'Jungle cat' |
"It was dead quiet," he said, remembering a night he spent tracking wildlife near Minchampton, Stroud, last September. | |
"You could hear a pin drop, and this big cat growled behind me - just warning me. | "You could hear a pin drop, and this big cat growled behind me - just warning me. |
"Through my night vision equipment I just saw it swoop down, sweep up a rabbit and disappear into a small wood. | "Through my night vision equipment I just saw it swoop down, sweep up a rabbit and disappear into a small wood. |
"They are so elusive, so stealthy - especially leopards and pumas - they see you before you see them." | "They are so elusive, so stealthy - especially leopards and pumas - they see you before you see them." |
Mr Minter, meanwhile, said he had seen three big cats in the wild - a black panther in Cumbria, a puma-like cat in a Cotswold woodland and a smaller cat, "like a jungle cat", near the River Severn in Gloucester. | Mr Minter, meanwhile, said he had seen three big cats in the wild - a black panther in Cumbria, a puma-like cat in a Cotswold woodland and a smaller cat, "like a jungle cat", near the River Severn in Gloucester. |
Between June 2007 and April 2011, Gloucestershire Police took 38 calls about big cat sightings. | Between June 2007 and April 2011, Gloucestershire Police took 38 calls about big cat sightings. |
According to the force's records, most of the animals were described as large black cats although there was one reported sighting of a lion. | According to the force's records, most of the animals were described as large black cats although there was one reported sighting of a lion. |
So, why would big cats be found in the far-from-tropical conditions of the Cotswolds? | So, why would big cats be found in the far-from-tropical conditions of the Cotswolds? |
Both of the big cat hunters said they believed the most likely explanation is that such animals have been released from domestic situations and small private collections. | Both of the big cat hunters said they believed the most likely explanation is that such animals have been released from domestic situations and small private collections. |
Following the introduction of the 1976 Dangerous Wild Animals Act, more costly and rigorous conditions were applied for keeping such animals. | Following the introduction of the 1976 Dangerous Wild Animals Act, more costly and rigorous conditions were applied for keeping such animals. |
Natural England, the government's advisory body on the natural environment, has stated it is confident there is no breeding big cat population in this country. | Natural England, the government's advisory body on the natural environment, has stated it is confident there is no breeding big cat population in this country. |
A spokesman said reports were occasionally received, but no sightings had ever been confirmed and the evidence it had looked at had either been unsubstantiated or attributed to other causes. | A spokesman said reports were occasionally received, but no sightings had ever been confirmed and the evidence it had looked at had either been unsubstantiated or attributed to other causes. |
'Strong desire' | 'Strong desire' |
But this is not the line taken by those who are convinced they have seen, heard or tracked a big cat in the wild. | But this is not the line taken by those who are convinced they have seen, heard or tracked a big cat in the wild. |
As for DNA testing of animal carcasses, previous cases have shown up different results, Mr Minter said. | As for DNA testing of animal carcasses, previous cases have shown up different results, Mr Minter said. |
He claimed that in 2003, tests on a black animal hair found after a sighting in Lincolnshire gave positive results for a leopard. | He claimed that in 2003, tests on a black animal hair found after a sighting in Lincolnshire gave positive results for a leopard. |
Two years later, DNA results consistent with a puma were found on a hair recovered after sightings in Neath, South Wales. | Two years later, DNA results consistent with a puma were found on a hair recovered after sightings in Neath, South Wales. |
And in 2009 the Forestry Commission confirmed that rangers had twice spotted big cats while conducting deer surveys in the Forest of Dean. | And in 2009 the Forestry Commission confirmed that rangers had twice spotted big cats while conducting deer surveys in the Forest of Dean. |
"Recent community surveys have indicated a strong desire for big cat evidence to be researched as robustly as possible, and for all aspects of this subject to be considered in a responsible way," added Mr Minter. | "Recent community surveys have indicated a strong desire for big cat evidence to be researched as robustly as possible, and for all aspects of this subject to be considered in a responsible way," added Mr Minter. |
"We are coming to a time when we must learn about them." | "We are coming to a time when we must learn about them." |
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