Big cat print ? No, just a rabbit...

It's amazing just how many photographs are submitted from witnesses who genuinely believe they have photographed 'big cat' paw-prints, but which turn out to be impressions made by rabbits. In case you're wondering what a rabbit print looks like, the accompanying photo proves, how easy it can be for sincere witnesses to simply get it wrong. Note the lack of a main central pad and also either side of the two central impressions, the two long impressions which are made as the rabbit squats on its rear limbs. The two central pads are made by the rabbit leaning on its forelimbs.

Paw-prints of 'big cat' found in snow near Gravesend.

In December 2009 several photographs were sent to Neil Arnold of what appeared to be 'big cat' prints. The prints were photographed by a Metropolitan policeman in an isolated area. They appear to have been made by a large cat, possibly a black leopard, and are unlike a symmetrical dog print as they are bereft of claw marks, and have all the hallmarks of a cat print. the story can be read HERE courtesy of the Gravesend Reporter.

Dubious paw-prints found at Sittingbourne.

There is some debate as to whether the January 6th 2009 story featured in the Sittingbourne Messenger (read it HERE ) actually shows authentic paw-prints of a 'big cat', i.e. puma or black leopard. Whilst it's understandable that the photo lacks any real definition, the witness was adamant that the prints he found had shown an animal to have travelled from the woods then over the roof of his vehicle (as it was parked over night on his driveway). Although the main pad is not visible, and the print has been disturbed by a rabbit track, there is no evidence to suggest a dog has been in the isolated area. Naturally, when snow thaws it can disfigure and so in the case of the Sittingbourne prints the jury is out.

On the track..of the Sheppey 'big cat.

The Times Guardian cover Neil Arnold's plans to film the black leopard on Sheppey.

Sittingbourne 'big cats'.

From KENT ONLINE, the latest 'big cat' activity, from the Sittingbourne area.

Neil Arnold in the CFZ hot-seat!

Neil Arnold is asked five cryptozoological questions by the CFZ's Oll Lewis. To find out more, read it HERE

Jogger is chased by the 'beast' of Sydenham...

NEWSSHOPPER December 14th 2009:

A JOGGER was forced to run for his life after encountering the infamous Beast of Sydenham.
Father-of-four Roger Fleming, 40, was on a late night run with his puppy King on December 9 near Sydenham Hill station when a giant cat chased them through Dulwich Wood.
Mr Fleming believes the creature, which he says looked like a brown cheetah, was the Beast of Sydenham, seen several times in the area over the years.
The building services manager first saw the beast at the bottom of a path in the wood.
He said: “It was at least five or six feet long.
“I thought to myself ‘what the hell is this?’ That’s when the panic set in.
“It sat there, locked its eyes on to me, sat up and - boom - it started running towards us.”
Mr Fleming grabbed hold of his Staffordshire bull terrier and ran through the wood.
He said: “I looked over my shoulder and could see it still running at me.
“I was just thinking ‘please stop’. It was knackering and I was almost ready to give up.
“I was thinking ‘this is it - I think I’m going to die’.”
After realising the beast had given up the chase, Mr Fleming rushed home to Dulwich and read about other sightings on the News Shopper website.
He said: “When I got home I was almost in tears the adrenalin was pumping through me so fast.
“I swear an oath to God never to go to that same part at night again.
“There should be signs telling people to take some caution because they’re walking around willy-nilly.”
Neil Arnold, a researcher who runs KENT BIG CAT RESEARCH said the beast is believed to be a black leopard, the offspring of pets released into the wild.
He said: “He should have stood his ground, maintained eye contact and backed off slowly - but it’s easy to say that.
“People don’t need to panic because big cats won’t harm them.
“I do this full-time to let people know that these animals aren’t a threat.”