Wildlife at airports

[HPsauce]

Absolutely!. They appear very confident in their surroundings. I understand a great many were released by owners in the mid 70's when a new Dangerous Wild Animals Act came in, requiring owners ( big cats were sold as young cats in department stores) to hold expensive licences. There were already some about before then, probably escapes from private collections and travelling Circuses in those days. People used to laugh and disbelieve sightings, but not so much these days.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

One of my favourite magazines, Fortean Times used to run regular updates on ABC's (Alien or Anomalous Big Cats) but they stopped a couple of years back claiming that the number of reports had dwindled.
Along with sightings, there have been numerous reports of mutilated sheep and cattle as well as sightings of large paw prints.

On to a different topic, does anyone know anything about British Bats (the flying mammals, not sports equipment)? A couple of weeks ago I was approaching a roundabout where three country lanes converge. It was dark, but the roundabout is very well lit. As I approached, I saw something flying which I first assumed to be a crow (thinking it was disturbed by the bright lights). But as I got closer, I saw it was a large Bat. It was about the size of a crow and an overall mid to dark brown. I'm familiar with smaller bats, which I see a lot of around dusk. I believe they are Pipistrelles, but this was much larger. I did search the internet but could not determine what it was.

If anyone has any ideas, I'd be pleased to hear them.

Kevin

 

[JENNYJET]

We call them Flying Foxes here in North Worcestershire, no idea why but they are big and noticeable. I have seen one terrorise a roaming cat and one causing a motorist to swerve off the road.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

We call them Flying Foxes here in North Worcestershire, no idea why but they are big and noticeable. I have seen one terrorise a roaming cat and one causing a motorist to swerve off the road.

Thanks Jenny. That looks right after searching the name on the internet. I don't think I've seen one before.

Kevin

 

[HPsauce]

There is a Bat known as the Flying Fox but not a British species (Asian i think). Kevin's Bat is possibly a Brown Long Eared Bat . They are quite large and fairly common. Another less common but large Bat that frequents lamp posts and hedgerows in southern England and Wales ( but are slowly spreading north) is the Serotine.
With regards to Big Cat sightings, there seem to be more than ever seen nowadays. Cubs too, also evidence of crossbreeding which causes further confusion. Also Black Leopards can also appear in dark brown forms and even give a striped appearance. Smaller exotic cats also turn up occasionally, such as Savannah Cats and Jungle Cats. A leading authority on Big Cats in the UK. Rick Minter, believes there could be around 500 currently, with the number slowly growing. Mostly the Black type but also plenty of sandy coloured (Puma or mountain lion).

 

[Kevin Farnell]

There is a Bat known as the Flying Fox but not a British species (Asian i think). Kevin's Bat is possibly a Brown Long Eared Bat . They are quite large and fairly common. Another less common but large Bat that frequents lamp posts and hedgerows in southern England and Wales ( but are slowly spreading north) is the Serotine.

Thanks HPsauce. I've looked further on the interweb and the best match I can find is the Noctule Bat. This has a wingspan of 32 - 40cm and a chocolate brown colouring all over (there was no white that I could see). The Serotine could also be a match. As I was driving, I couldn't look at it for long.
It's quite possible that 'Flying Fox' could be a local name that Jenny is familiar with.
I found some pictures of the Noctule Bat and they have some viscous looking teeth.

UK Bats - Types of bats - Bat Conservation Trust

We are lucky enough to have 18 species of bat in the UK, 17 of which are known to be breeding here - that's almost a quarter of our mammal species. Ever...

www.bats.org.uk

Kevin

 

[JENNYJET]

Kevin is correct in that it is locally referred to as the Flying Fox, mainly due to it's relative size compared to normal bats and the Redditch area is not tropical normally though farmland is extensive as are birds of prey.

 

[HPsauce]

I did consider the Noctule but as it's a high flying species i ruled it out. Again it is a larger species. Always possible!. Yes, agreed, Jenny's Bat would be a local name I'm sure. Flying Foxes are found in Asia and parts of Africa, also known as Fruit Bats.

 

[HPsauce]

I notice the Leeds area has been a hot-spot for Big Cat sightings in recent years. You mention Cow and Calf, where a student took a picture of a large cat leaping down from high rocks in March 2017. Another convincing photo shows the unmistakable long tail which immediately rules out regular moggies!.

 

[Aviador]

I notice the Leeds area has been a hot-spot for Big Cat sightings in recent years. You mention Cow and Calf, where a student took a picture of a large cat leaping down from high rocks in March 2017. Another convincing photo shows the unmistakable long tail which immediately rules out regular moggies!.

Yes, I read about a sighting near the Ilkley Golf course, and also near Castleford where photo or video evidence was presented.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Fascinating discussion about Big Cats in the wild in parts of the UK. Perhaps the most notorious was the so-called Beast of Exmoor that was reportedly seen over many year from the1970s and thought responsible for the death of hundreds of sheep on the moor. The Ministry denied its existence claiming at one time that it was a hoax in my opinion. Nevertheless, armed marines were reportedly sent onto the moor and some claimed to have seen the beast but could not shoot it in case their high-powered rifle bullets passed through the creature and went on to injure or kill humans or livestock. It begs the question why were they sent out in the first place?

If there are numerous Big Cats living in the wild how do they exist without coming to the notice of farmers and the authorities? Presumably they will kill livestock for food in significant proportions.

My wife's brother was a dairy farmer in Wiltshire before moving with his wife to a remote location on Dartmoor in semi-retirement nearly 20 years ago. He breeds Dartmoor ponies, horses and fattens stock for slaughter. At one time he was an unofficial ranger who patrolled his section of the moor on horseback. I'ver never heard him mention Big Cats on Dartmoor even though it's relatively close to Exmoor. This discussion has piqued my interest so the next time I speak to him I'll ask. I've had no reason to do so in the past.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Here in East Anglia, we have the 'Fenn Tiger'. I've not seen it myself, but did have a strange experience some years ago. I'd gone to bed, but before falling asleep I heard something very heavy climb over the 6ft garden fence. My parents were staying for the weekend and the next morning I asked if they'd heard anything. My Mom replied that she had and thought It was someone trying to take a short cut back from the pub. It really did sound that heavy. It was certainly not a cat (well, not a domestic one). Never found any prints or other evidence.

Kevin

 

[HPsauce]

An Aunt and Uncle of mine retired to Harvington near Evesham in north Worcestershire. They began to see Black Panthers quite often. Aunt was an early rider, and often saw a 'cat' pass by under the street lights, on one occasion with cubs in tow!. She too heard them jump their 6ft garden fence with ease!. A tall mature tree in clear view from their kitchen would often have one sleeping up during the day, sprawled across branches quite high up!.
With regard to why livestock doesn't get reported missing etc, quite a bit does, although these cats seem to prefer Rabbits, Deer, Foxes, domestic cats etc. Just a couple of Rabbits a day is thought to be enough to sustain them. All Big Cats seen by the public have been reported to be looking in superb condition.

 

[Aviador]

Not so long ago I watched a programme about Big Cats in India where in an effort to try to save the species a team of people were used to comb every part of the country to establish how many were still living. During the programme an expert said they were incredibly difficult to see because they can climb trees for cover. They don't come out into the open for long.

As for what they eat here, one UK expert claims the Big Cats will happily eat Roe Deer and Rabbits. It was suggested that the population of Roe Deer was being suppressed in some parts of the country and nobody could explain why.

 

[HPsauce]

There are many pictures of animal carcasses, mainly sheep and deer, obviously stripped of meat and the bones licked clean in the characteristic way a big cat eats. Also the two puncture holes, usually in the neck area, where the cat has asphyxiated it's prey. Yes, wildlife does disappear when a cat is around apparently. They also take larger birds, such as Pigeons, Geese, pheasant and even Swans. Not as big as Lions or Tigers, but immensely powerful.