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As can be seen in the chart, in 21 years almost 400 births
are possible from a single female.. Now this is theoretical, and in ideal
conditions. If we say, 12-15 cats were initailly released in 1976 when the
Dangerous Wild Animals Act came into force and lets say there were 5 already there that
escaped from zoos and circuses, the total figure is quite frightening. Not all
the offspring would be female and not all the other released animals would have been
female. However, there still remains a great possibilty of there being several
hundred big cats in the British Isles. Food is plentyful, and there is nothing
to predate the cats. So they probably live long lives...up to about twenty five
years. Sightings are on the increase, especially in suburban areas. In
California, research is at present underway to discover why there are substantially more
Puma attacks on people than before. This research is also being carried out in other
States and parts of Canada. Early reports suggest the following.
Hunting the Puma has been banned in all but seven States in the USA. So, there
is no stock depletion which stabalises present numbers and adds to
birthings. Also, with people building homes ever deeper into Puma
country, conflict is naturally bound to occur. In those parts of
American and Canadian wild country, where Puma hunting has been made illegal, hunters and
fishermen are reporting a startling rise in serious confrontations with Pumas.
The Puma, in areas where it has been forced to live alonside humans, have taken a
bold attitude indeed. They have become a little like our urban fox in
their attitude. American Biologists say that America must learn to live
with the Puma. Previous hunting allowances almost brought the animal to
extinction, and in Florida, the Florida Puma is thought to total only about 50
animals. If what is now happening in Canada and the US, is already starting
to happen in the UK, it is high time that a group of experts in the various fields that
would cover the presence of big cats in the UK, be brought together. Literally
thousands of people over the years, have seen these animals. They have been
reported from John O’Groats to Lands end, and to all points south and
east. If this seriously needed group of people were brought together, the
whole issue could be looked at. Josh is the most recent attack victim.
He will most certainly not be the last. Guidelines need to be drawn up before
another attack takes place. The next victim may not be as fortunate as Josh. I
will add here that in the US and Canada, they are dealing only with the Puma.
In the UK, we are dealing with the Puma and the Black Leopard, and The Black Leopard is a
totally different animal indeed.
A ‘new’ cross bred sub-species? |
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The photograph above shows us a ‘new
species’. This is a stuffed example of a Puma/Leopard cross from a
Natural History Museum. Many species of animal will inter-species breed if a mate of
their particular breed is not available. We know this well with the domestic
dog. Bearing in mind the number of individual true species cats that have been
released into the British countryside, could the animal pictured above be roaming our
countryside? Could there be black versions of this animal roaming our countryside?
Investigation and research into all the Big Cat related phenomina is a matter of vital
importance. The cats ARE here. The main questions where invesigation is
ernestly needed are: What species are living and breeding in the British
countryside? Where are the densest populations of these cats? What is
the main food of these cats? How do we attempt to count the number of these
cats? When and how should culling of these cats start? What effect
are /will these cats have on our own indigenous species? When is the first
fatality inevitably going to occur? There are certain people in the British Isles who
think it is cute to have these large non-indigenous cats living in the countryside around
them. There are certain people trying to make money out of them,
although their experience and field work is very limited. These people would do well
to look at the Pheasant, the Grey Squirrel and the Muntjak Deer. All are introduced
species into this country, and see how well they have faired. The Grey Squirrel is
now classed as vermin, with fines being levied in some areas for feeding them. The
Grey Squirrel was responsible for the near extinction of our Red Squirrel. The
Pheasant holds higher status. Imported from China as a game bird, it remains the
main game bird of the British Isles. However they took to our countryside well and
are to be seen almost everywhere. The Muntjak Deer can be seen now, more commonly
that our own deer. This is not due to low numbers of our own deer, but due to
the Munjaks small size and abilty to hide nearer human habitation.
These Big Cats have taken to the country side with equal vigour. The main
difference being, that these cats are large carnivors, top of the food chain
predators. The British Isles offers these cats perfect conditions for healthy
survival. A plentiful year round supply of food. More than adequate
natural cover within thier range and territory. And many supposed experts that are
still not convinced they are here at all. |
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