Big cats what do people think are they out there ? Have you seen one ?

[peteb823]

I've just been reading this article is there anything out there on our moors/land etc. I thought this may be of interest , I think there could be you never know !
Experts carrying out DNA tests on the carcass of a mutilated deer for evidence of a big cat on the loose have drawn a blank.
The only DNA found by extensive tests on remains of the roe deer, discovered by dog walkers on National Trust land near Stroud, Gloucestershire, last month, was that of a fox.
The National Trust asked the University of Warwick to test samples from the deer after examination of the animal raised the possibility that it could have been killed by a big cat, such as a panther or puma.
The injuries to the neck of the deer and the way the carcass had been consumed were thought to be highly indicative of big cat activity.
However forensic tests found no evidence of cat DNA on the carcass discovered near Woodchester Park, or on the remains of a second deer found a few miles away.
Dr Robin Allaby, of the University of Warwick, said: "Other than deer, by far the strongest genetic signal we found on the Woodchester Park carcass was from a fox. That fox DNA was found on the ribs, legs and fur-plucking sites from the Woodchester deer carcass.
"On the second deer carcass, we found canid DNA. A more detailed analysis is under way to pin down the canid species but our expectation is that will also be fox DNA."
Dr Allaby reached his conclusions after taking 45 samples from the wounds of the deer carcasses, testing them for DNA from the saliva of canids, such as dogs or foxes, or cat species which had killed the deer or scavenged from it.
Although tests have turned up no evidence of big cats in Gloucestershire, it is unlikely that speculation about feral cats such as the sandy-grey puma or the black panther roaming the British countryside will disappear.
David Armstrong, head ranger for the National Trust in Gloucestershire, said: "People love a mystery like this and although we haven't found a wild cat, many of our visitors clearly believe there might be something interesting living quietly hidden in Woodchester."

[Donki Oaty]

I don't think they'd tell the general public if they actually did find big cat DNA. Imagine the hysteria in the area not to mention all the people that would go out setting "traps" to be the first to catch a British Wild Big Cat?

I personally am yet to decide. I've seen no conclusive proof of their existence.

Mat

[ths]

Meant to be quite a few in the valley i live in, been walking it all my life day and night and never seen anything (not even close), starting to see more bore though coming over from the Forest of Dean and them i wouldn't want to run in to without an exit tree somewhere!

Im in 2 minds really until someone gets properly messed up then i think it could just be big feral cats seen from a distance :P

Id love to be the first one to get one would look lovely in front of the fire

[Bolor]

I wish people would stop thinking there are big cats in this country, its ridiculous and nigh on impossible.
aliens did it you fools

[k-baz2006]

you will probably all laugh but in august 1993 we were heading for somerset on the train, to see family. about 5mins after leaving durham station the train slowed down and i caught a glimpse of a large cat dissapearing through the hedgerow. its something ive never brought up before, basically because people wouldnt beleve me. but im adament that i did see a big cat just by the way it moved was deffo a cat. but like i said try telling anyone when your 9 years old what you saw, no one would have believed me. and people still wont. theres always some logical explanation, i just cant think of one.

[drobson67]

There is a phenomenon of animal mutilation where there are precision cuts made, parts taken and the authorities blame wild animals or cults. There maybe wild cats roaming but there is also something very strange going on as well.

[drobson67]

If someone illegally keeps an exotic wild animal and it escapes they dont inform the authorities so its very possible there are cats roamimg without our knowledge.

[mark.177]

yep.... theres one sat on my fridge right now, a huge great fat tabby f####r!

[bristolboi]

There have been plenty of news reports of big cat sightings and mutilations in the blaina gwent Brecon and black mountains over the yrs and as it was perfectly legal to keep large cats in the uk in the past and the amount of open woodland and open Moreland there's no reason they don't exist

[Scaramanga]

No, the big cats are the ones making the crop circles.

Hang on, there´s one on my bookcase right now - let me grab my camera.

AAAARRRGGHHHH - just look at those evil eyes !!!!

DEVIL Bella.jpg