Big cat filmed by CCTV in Stroud, Gloucestershire (or large feral).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/gloucestershire/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_8491000/8491497.stm

(view the footage at the above link)

Big cat filmed by CCTV in Stroud, Gloucestershire

Expert Frank Tunbridge commentates on the CCTV footage Frank Tunbridge, who has studied big and exotic cats for 25 years, was called to verify the footage and concluded that “it’s certainly a very powerful looking big cat.” The fawn-coloured animal was first spotted in 2009 by Phil Janes, a nightshift worker in Stroud. “Out the corner of my eye I just saw the creature on the camera and I thought it was about the size of a fox,” said Phil. Whilst monitoring the security cameras he is accustomed to seeing foxes, deer and hare but this animal took him by surprise. He added: “With regards to the size of it, there are some road markings that go through the electric gates. “The distance between the road markings and the kerb are about 4ft (1.2m) across. I don’t know of any domestic cat of that size.” Size Most sightings that Frank receives are for cats similar in size to a fox or Labrador dog. “They’re not coming out the size of big massive leopards and pumas that people like to think they are,” said Frank. This footage hasn’t satisfied his ongoing desire to prove that big cats exist in the wild, describing this film as “average”. He still wants to snap the big black cat “which is most impressive” and makes up 80% of the sightings he receives. As for Phil, this is proof enough: “Until the footage was verified by Frank I was a bit sceptical, but now I’m definitely convinced.”

Cat, fox – what is the animal in the shadows

Images of what are believed to be a mystery cat have been taken on a trail camera in an undisclosed Buckinghamshire location.

The animal is first seen on the edge of the camera flash, then in the next two shots slinking away out of sight.

The cameras have been in the secret location for two months before the images were taken.

Unfortunately the animal is in the shadows in the periphery of the camera flash making a positive identification impossible.

But what we can see is a large spotted feline animal. On the first image the face is visible, on the second two shots it can be seen slinking away to the right after its initial surprise with the flash.

A rough size estimate can be gauged from a sample shot showing the cameras owner near the tree where the animal is seen slinking away.

The animal is estimated to be about two feet in length with a 12 – 18 inch tail. Not big enough to be a leopard but certainly puts it into the leopard cat/ Bengal / ocelot type range.

The cameras are being reset with new attractants and marker poles in the hope of catching a more clear shot of the cat in question.

Or is it a fox?

Big cat hunters head to Devilla Forest

Published: Monday, 11th January, 2010 2:11pm

Big cat hunters head to Devilla Forest

http://www.dunfermlinepress.com/news/roundup/articles/2010/01/11/395806-big-cat-hunters-head-to-devilla-forest/

BIG-CAT hunters are to visit West Fife next month to pounce on evidence of large felines in the area which have terrified witnesses.

 A group from Big Cats in Britain (BCIB), including founder Mark Fraser, will head north after hearing about repeated sightings in Devilla Forest, near Kincardine.

 There were around eight sightings of big cats in West Fife last year, ranging from pumas to lynx.

 Bob Wallace, BCIB Fife representative, will join Mark and others in two overnight vigils in the hope of capturing the beast on camera.

 He said, “Mark is convinced there’s something in there – the area is well covered with plenty of food and has several water sources so it’s an ideal place.

 ”It’s worth a look because of the number of reported sightings already and we’ll be looking to interview witnesses.”

 The latest reported sighting was in November when a man claimed to have been followed by two pairs of green eyes to his car at the forest entrance on the A985 Rosyth to Kincardine road.

 The man – a regular dog-walker – said he would never set foot in the woods after dark again.

 In October the Press reported the story of two Valleyfield men, James McGarry and Alan Yates, who claim they saw a large black cat while out hunting rabbits in a field at Culross not far from the forest.

 Other encounters in West Fife have included a man claiming to have come face-to-face with a Puma-like creature sat upon a hay bale at the ash lagoons in Low Valleyfield and another man seeing a large black cat in Townhill while out with his daughter.

 The investigation will take place on the weekend of 6-7th February.

If you have any information regarding sightings in the area contact Bob Wallace on 07936 719909 at wallace_robert@yahoo.co.uk.

Technology for Country Folk

Posted by Rick Minter

Trigger camera Pictures by Richard Ashworth

Big Cats of the Chilterns

Dear BCIB

 

I have been interested in the big cats of the Chilterns and buckinghamshire for 14 years. I am not yet a member of big cats in Britain however I am an active researcher in the area with two stealth cameras in operation as I write.

 

I have created a website and posted this online . the website is not avaliable on google search yet,,, I would ask you if you would be so kind to review it and inform me if my information is straight and correct before I make it more web searchable?

 

Regards Paul Nicolaides.                       

 

www.bigcatsofthechilterns.co.uk         my contact details are on the site however please email me at this email account thanks.

‘Demon Cat’ Carcass Found In Arizona

  ‘Demon Cat’ Carcass Found In Arizona

by Jason ClarkePosted: 31 Dec 2009 11:00 AM PST

themorningstarr – Hunters in San Carlos, Arizona have found the carcass of an unidentified beast with elongated fangs and possible wings.

The carcass resembles that of a domestic cat, but with several noticeable differences. The animal is described as “sabertoothed” because it’s incisor teeth are elongated into fangs, the front limbs of the creature are also longer than an ordinary cat’s legs and appear to have an extra joint giving the appearance of large feet. Even more bizarrely the carcass reveals evidence of possible wings protruding from the animal’s back.

The carcass was found by two hunters in a remote area near San Carlos, they passed the remains on to Jess Underberg from Globe, AZ. who is hoping to try and identify the strange looking beast.

The long fangs and elongated front limbs are characteristic of descriptions given of the infamous “goat sucker” or chupacabras. However most chupacabras sightings are dismissed as coyotes with mange, not felines with wings.

http://www.themorningstarr.co.uk/2009/12/31/demon-cat-possible-goat-sucker-contender/

 

Slim victory for supersize skunk

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/england/somerset/8426279.stm

 

 supersize Somerset skunk has been named slimmer of the year by its zoo keepers after losing 4.4lb (2kg) by ditching a bacon sandwich diet.

Striped skunk Mr Bumble was handed to Tropiquaria Zoo at Washford Cross in September when his previous owners realised they could not look after him.

Park owner Chris Moiser said two-year-old Mr Bumble weighed one stone (6.8kg) and needed to lose 5-6lb (2.2-2.7kg).

But after a diet and exercise programme Mr Bumble is almost back in trim.

Mr Bumble had been abandoned and was found on the street by the RSPCA.

His owner was traced but he said he could not look after him anymore – and admitted to feeding the animal on bacon sandwiches.

Mr Moiser said: “He’s looking more like a skunk and less like a barrel, basically by taking him off a diet of bacon butties.

“With him being so overweight, his longevity was under threat.

“He eats a fairly high fibre diet of fruit, and we get him exercising for two 20 minute slots every day.”

Mince pie treat

Striped skunks are native to Central and North America, and live up to eight years.

They have become popular as house pets in the UK and Europe.

But a number of skunks were abandoned since a new law banned the removal of their scent glands.

Since Mr Bumble’s plight hit national headlines in September, he had been on the BBC and the ABC in the United States.

Mr Moisier added: “He’s one of our friends now. But he does need to lose another 2lb.

“But, since it’s Christmas, we might give him a mince pie as a ‘well done’.”

Blyth big cat Lioncubb proves he’s the top cat

Blyth big cat Lioncubb proves he’s the top cat

Dec 13 2009 by Adrian Pearson, Sunday Sun

http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/news/north-east-news/2009/12/13/blyth-big-cat-lioncubb-proves-he-s-the-top-cat-79310-25377443/

A MIGHTY moggy on the prowl has turned Blyth into big cat country.

With a head nearly as big as a Labrador’s, Lioncubb, the two-year-old pedigree Maine Coon, weighs as much as a toddler.

And incredibly he still has another two years to grow.

The tabby, who weighs more than 26lbs, is also a hit with the ladies, having fathered two litters of kittens already and another two on the way.

Lioncubb, who is not overweight, lives with his breeder owner Pamela Eglintine and over 30 other cats at her specially adapted home in Blyth, Northumberland.

And he likes nothing better than chilling out in his favourite wicker chair listening to the radio.

Pamela, 54, who has been breeding Maine Coons for 16 years, said: “Lioncubb’s head is the size of a Labrador’s almost.

“He is such a big cat but he is extremely laid back and affectionate. He is very friendly with everyone, even strangers.

“He’s just got the most exceptional temperament.”

Pamela, who breeds cats for health, temperament and size, is extremely proud of her big cat and bred him herself.

She also bred his mother’s side as far back as his great-great-grandmother.

But Lioncubb, who is due to get a new girlfriend from Sweden next year, might not be top cat for much longer.

His son, Boy Pilot, is already well on his way to overtaking his dad despite being only seven months old.

Pamela, who breeds under the prefix Carramazza, said: “Boy Pilot is extremely big for seven months – he’s already two-thirds the size of his father so he’s going to be even bigger.

“His mother’s side also has some big cats, so there’s big size on both sides.”

Maine Coons are known for their size with adult males usually weighing between 13Ibs and 25 lbs.

Lioncubb, who eats two normal balanced meals a day, is completely healthy, according to Pamela, and had his heart checked by the Edinburgh University vet school earlier this year.

Pamela is always happy to give advice to people about cats and said: “Breeders often say that their cats have been checked for the heart disease HCM but in fact they haven’t been.

“They have been checked for one gene which can cause it. The only way to know properly is to get the cat heart echo tested by a qualified cardiologist and that is what I recommend people do.”

Sussex Big Cat Watch

Derek Bilston from the list has set up the Sussex Big Cat Watch, he has already received publicity gaining new sightings and new contacts. So lets all support Derek in what he is doing and wish him well.

 

Website is here at http://www.sussexbigcatwatch.org.uk/

 

Please leave your contact details on the sightings page or phone us : DEREK on 07763596965  or  CHARLIE on 07722274033.  Or email us :  derek@sussexbigcatwatch.org.uk                                                                                     

charlie@sussexbigcatwatch.org.uk     

You can also contact our West Sussex representative who lives in Midhurst. Phone : MARTIN on 077662766641.