Big Cats II: Can anyone offer an opinion or answer these??

[itsallyellow]

Is there an estimated population of large cats (lynx, panther, mountain lion) in the UK. How much research is going into to this. Is it only a matter of time before they are recognised as a species living in Britain? Any opinion would be great as I'm planning to write a piece on this

[logman]

Lots of people report sightings of ABCs alien big cats, all over the UK, some may be hoaxes and some misidentified but i think some of them may well be genuine.

In the1970s their was a change in the law re keeping "dangerous animals" and its been allegad that lots of people relesed ABCs etc rather than have them put down.

[Goodsoulette]

I have family living in the Blackdowns in Somerset, I have spoken to so many people who believe that they have seen them. A panther on one part of the hills and 2 lynx neaR A monument. I have no reason to disbelieve these people, and have witnessed some strange twilight behaviour from cattle and dogs that has had me heading back all twitchy.Even my stepfather ( a hardy farmer) has had his shotgun ready, when something in the undergrowth flushed out some roe deer, of which I know that a chap down the road has found with entire legs bitten of at the knucle). I cant wait til someone can actually prove it. If there is anything more specific you would like to know ill be happy to answer any qs

[itsallyellow]

Goodsoulette, what time of year did these take place? And when, thanks

[Goodsoulette]

I lived with my mum for a little bit about 4 yrs ago so that was when the incident of the roe deer with its whole leg bitten off was, I know the guys that told us about it had taken pictures and sent it to the approprite people.

I have heard many things living in somerset but mainly concerning the blackdowns. Wellington monument is the srea where a couple of people have spotted the lynx at night, and near angersleigh is definitely where lots of farmers have sited the panther.

I know also that There have been sitings of the Exmoor beast near to Bishops Lydeard. Now I know these animals can cover some distance but I the dispersion of the sightings is surely to far apart for it to be just the odd animal.

I cak my pants every time I have to go out on the hills on my own for that very reason.

[Goodsoulette]

Late/summer/ autumn is when you tend to here about it more