Report from Mike Inglis
I have replied to the gentleman and stressed this group is opposed totally to harming these cats and I would prefer if he got us a plastercast etc instead of a body.
Deer eaten and large tracks found on Black Isle
21 st February 2002
I recieved a phone call from a deer stalker last night. The gentleman concerned wishes me to phone his friend as he has more details of the situation, unfortunately I havent been able to speak to him so far.
From what I can make out they were out stalking Red Deer on the Black Isle and had a quite successfull day. They had to leave one carcass behind and on returning to get the carcass they found it with the head ripped off front legs gone and approx 50-55 pounds of flesh missing, the stalker like most country people is aware of foxes etc but states he has never seen anything like this in his life.
I won't know anymore untill I speak to his friend.
Mike.
Hi Mike,
After the new snow fall 2 days ago, I was able to follow some tracks for over 100 yds before entering a thick forest, which allowed sufficient cover for the snow not to settle.
I skirted the wood (quite large) but found no other tracks, so can only assume that the cat remained there. I watched this wood all night and into the next morning, but with no reward.
I have set two sand traps at likely entry points to this wood and will be watching for prints.
I am indifferent to big cat species, but like the big foot or yetti, I don't suppose any one will acknowledge their presence or validity until a body is produced.
I have studied variouse books (Corbets India, Leopard, shadow of the night, etc.) and realise that these creatures are almost super intelligent when hunted.
I have set both deer cacass and gralloch in prime spots, which I have surrounded with clay sand to allow species print identification and will be watching carefully.
What are your thought, on the ethics of shooting a specimen?, after all protection cannot be offered to an animal that supposedly doesn't exist, nor will ever be until their existance is proven!
21 st February 2002
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