Is there really a big cat in the Lake District? (UK)

a reply to: angelchemuel

I knew someone who was adamant big cats roam our countryside, his reasoning? His mate let one go years ago.

I can imagine similar things have happened in the past too, we might not have big cats breeding in our country but we do have plenty of people with exotic animals, no shortage of food for successful predators either.

Scotland still has it's wildcats although I think they're considered genetically extinct with all the breeding with domesticated cats. When I was a kid their was a local cat I'm sure had a bit wildcat in it due to it's nature and size. Idk if wildcats and domesticated ones could throw off DNA results although artificial breeding can apparently produce viable results when crossing species.

Interesting stuff, always wondered if we have crazy private breeders in the UK. It is possible we have a viable population in hiding too, I can't imagine their numbers would ever get large enough to be noticed all that much.

a reply to: F2d5thCavv2

Oh that's interesting!
Thank you
Rainbows
Jane

a reply to: angelchemuel


I don't doubt it , a family member of mine is a gamekeeper in the Highlands and claims to have seen one far off decades ago and I do recall talk 30 years ago of a massive black cat being seen and photographed in the Highlands .

There is plenty of moors and food for them

a reply to: stonerwilliam

Agreed!
Lived in Aberdeen for many years ('80's/'90's). The Trossachs feel like home, I miss them. Must re-visit.
Rainbows
Jane

a reply to: angelchemuel

Might be a little off topic but here's a link the briefly describes large cats in Aussie. The rest is about a Yowie sighting.

Apparently the cats have been around for some time.

youtu.be...


Kind regards,

Bally

a reply to: bally001

Thank you! I shall watch.
Rainbows
Jane

a reply to: angelchemuel

I was living hundreds of miles north of there in the 90s in Sutherland near Embo where one was pictured many years later .

It was talked about back then but like Nessie you stand being ridiculed stupid if you claim to see a large black cat roaming around, but lots of people were talking about seeing one in the distance and when these people are farmers and gamekeepers you tend to listen .

The food supply would not be a problem in my part of the world and would go unnoticed with the vast amount of deer around and a tint population of humans in a vast area .

originally posted by: Macenroe82
a reply to: angelchemuel

There's also a big cat in my house lol

So beautiful. Does he want to go outside at night all the time? My tabby cat is hard to control at night, she constantly is trying to get out at night, lots of time I end up taking her for a walk at 2am, 3am, 4am etc