UK’s 150 big cats
MORE than 150 black panthers and pumas are roaming Britain, an expert has claimed. And sightings will soar this summer.
AT least 150 big cats are prowling the countryside ready to pounce, an expert fears.
Cryptozoologist Jonathan Dowes, 57, has been tracking the wild beasts for decades.
He reckons there are dozens of killer pumas, panthers, lynx and wildcats roaming the UK.
It comes after we revealed how Emma Adam was left paralysed with fear when she came face-to-face with a black panther this week.
Mr Dowes believes her sighting in Leicestershire is just the tip of the iceberg.
He said there could be 150 big cats such as panthers on the loose in Britain at any one time. The expert is worried there will be more close ® calls for people in the coming weeks due to the warm weather.
Despite attacks by wild animals being rare, Mr Dowes warned people should stay well clear. He said: “Do not try and approach it or do anything stupid.”
Mr Dowes said most of the beasts are descendents of animals released in the late 70s and early 80s when the government brought in rules on keeping big cats.
He thinks their population is slowly growing as they breed in thick undergrowth. The revelations come after the Daily Star reported yesterday how Emma, 29, was left in shock when she came face-to-face with a black panther in Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Her experience was mirrored by scores of people across the country.
Catherine Davies, 46, told the Daily Star last night how she saw two large beasts “prowling” around her flat in Pontyrddulais near Swansea two weeks ago.
There were 455 beast sightings logged by police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland between 2010 and 2015.
Norfolk has had the most reported sightings, with 57 being logged.
Neighbouring county Suffolk has had 26 reports of big cats.
A black panther has repeatedly been seen stalking the countryside in both counties. In Devon and Cornwall there have been 28 sightings – with reports of farm animals being killed.