Lions on the loose ? Of course not...but...

Neil Arnold has an article on 'Lions On The Loose' in the December 2012 (295) issue of Fortean Times magazine. The article looks at, and dismisses reports of so-called 'lions panic' in the UK, including the recent Essex lion farce, as well as alleged reports of the king of the jungle around London, Sussex and even a story pertaining to a lion trapped in a sewer in Birmingham! Buy your copy now, available from all good newsagents.

BBC article concerning exotic pets

Read more HERE

The boar are back in town...

Although the government and Department of Agriculture refuse to state how many wild boar are lurking in Kent, (far more than any authority would care to admit!) recent investigations have revealed a small population spreading to woods around Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge. A recent investigation into the local forest in search of evidence for black leopard and puma, revealed several deer carcasses that although now quite old - were originally killed by a large cat. Some great research is being conducted in the area by a James Mitson who also photographed several boar in his local woods. Initially most of the boar in Kent were thought to originate from farms in the '70s and '80s when such animals were being presented on posh restaurant menu's, and when a severe storm struck Kent in 1987, many of these animals, along with exotic cats and wallabies escaped into the Kent wilds. Most of the boar were thought to have spread throughout East Kent and down into parts of Sussex on the marshes. However, recent investigations have revealed that there are now boar spreading through parts of Sevenoaks, and as already mentioned, down into Tonbridge. The boar were surprisingly docile, and more than happy to approach especialy after hearing the rustling of a bag. It'll be interesting to see if any of the young turn up eaten by the local 'big cat'! Photo copyright of James Mitson

Westwell leopard ?

Report received: Saturday October 20th 2012 - dusk. "I live in Westwell near Ashford. I have just driven into the village via Watery Lane, as I passed under the rail link bridge, I saw a large black cat walk across the road about 100 yards in front. It was roughly the size of a labrador. It was definitely a cat I am really interested in cats in general and can honestly say that just by the way it was walking and its stance that is what it was. It wasnt in any hurry so I got a good look at it. I am totally amazed and thought I would let you know asap."

Ulcombe feral cat

There have been two sightings recently of a large black cat in the Ulcombe area, where over the past few years there have been rumour of a black leopard prowling around. Even so, the recent sightings are not all they are cracked up to be. A lady named Mandy remember seeing a large black cat that crossed a road in the village on the night of October 13th. Her partner, who was in the car with her at the time, described the animal as an unusually large feral cat, and this was confirmed the following day when the same animal was photographed by a dog walker in fields at the back of the local school. The man, a keen naturalist had heard about the 'big cat' sightings and was in the fields hoping to get a glimpse of a white squirrel when he noticed a seemingly large animal prowling along a treeline. He took two photographs of the animal which were passed on to us, and confirmed as being a feral cat - albeit a large one. It's not that unusual for a feral cat to grow to a few feet in length, but whether this is the same animal others have seen in the area we may never know unless evidence comes forward, but until it does what is clear is that there are some big ferals roaming Kent.

Review of 'Mystery Animals Of...Kent' in the Journal Of Kent History

Is a feral cat, or something larger attacking domestic cats in Bromley ?

Read all about it at the Newsshopper