Creatures, Myths & Legends

'Alien big cat' roamed UK over 100 years ago

By T.K. Randall
April 27, 2013 ·  22 comments

Image Credit: CC 2.0 Art G. Sightings of large predatory cats have been reported for years all over the UK and remain the subject of controversy and debate among experts. One theory to explain their presence is that when the 1976 Wild Animals Act was introduced, many owners of exotic pet cats decided to release them in to the wild. An analysis of the remains of a Canadian lynx dating back more than a century however is now helping to shed new light on the phenomenon.

"There have been enough sightings of exotic big cats which substantially pre-date 1976 to cast doubt on the idea that one piece of legislation made in 1976 explains all releases of these animals in the UK," said study co-author Dr Darren Naish. "It seems more likely that escapes and releases have occurred throughout history, and that this continual presence of aliens explains the 'British big cat' phenomenon."[!gad]Sightings of large predatory cats have been reported for years all over the UK and remain the subject of controversy and debate among experts. One theory to explain their presence is that when the 1976 Wild Animals Act was introduced, many owners of exotic pet cats decided to release them in to the wild. An analysis of the remains of a Canadian lynx dating back more than a century however is now helping to shed new light on the phenomenon.

"There have been enough sightings of exotic big cats which substantially pre-date 1976 to cast doubt on the idea that one piece of legislation made in 1976 explains all releases of these animals in the UK," said study co-author Dr Darren Naish. "It seems more likely that escapes and releases have occurred throughout history, and that this continual presence of aliens explains the 'British big cat' phenomenon."

Source: Telegraph | Comments (22)

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