40 big cat sightings reported in Cumbria
Published at 08:10, Friday, 18 November 2011
Police have received 40 reports of big cats roaming the Cumbrian countryside since 2003.
But no evidence has ever been found to back up any of the claims.
The majority refer to big black panther-type creatures or lynxes.
One sighting of a “large black cat” dead beside the M6 was found to be an otter.
And after investigating a report of “big black cat” at Troutbeck Bridge, near Windermere, officers concluded it was probably a badger.
Cumbria Police has thrown open its files on big cat sightings after a request by the News & Star under Freedom of Information rules.
They include:
A “black panther” on the fells at Garrigill, near Alston in 2003.
A “very large cat” at Bewcastle in 2003.
A “large puma-type black cat” near the River Eden at Linstock, Carlisle. in 2003.
A “big cat” which looked like a lynx on the lane leading to Silloth Golf Club in 2003.
A “large wild cat” near the A596 at Wigton in 2003.
A “black panther” near a football pitch on the Great Broughton to Dearham road in 2004.
A “2ft high puma” at Tirril, Penrith, in 2005.
A “lynx” next to the A591 at Applethwaite, near Keswick, in 2005.
A “panther” at Derwentwater, Keswick, in 2006.
A “large black cat” in fields above Townfoot Park, Brampton, in 2007.
A “large black cat” at Port Road business park, Carlisle, in 2009.
A “large black panther cat” at Eastern Way, Carlisle, in 2010.
In 2003, a lion was spotted in a field opposite South Lakes Wild Animal Park at Dalton-in-Furness, near Barrow.
However, officers sent to the scene found no evidence of the animal being there.
Checks at the zoo found that all of its lions were accounted for.
MLegg@cngroup.co.uk
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
My partner finished work last night (19/05/13)
He went for a run along roanhead beach just outside of barrow, he said when leaving he saw everything like a big black cat in the field running, grr certain that it was this black cat!! Anyone else spotted it near barrow in Furness recently?
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I have seen 2 Scottish Lynx on the expansive moors along the Scots/English borders, absolutely beautiful specimens too!
Posted by Craig on 20 May 2013 at 07:19