Report from Nick Wirsten
The myth of the big cat hunt
From the Daily Mail, 1 st July 2004
I was bemused by the article in the Daily Mail about the big cat hunt
in Renfrewshire.
I am senior keeper of carnivores at Glasgow Zoo and we have been
actively researching this subject for 27 years.
We have found that within the UK there are more than 20 exotic cats
running about.
However mark Fraser of the 'Scottish Big Cat Society' and Danny Bamping
of the British Big Cat Society have said there are 2,023 sightings in
the UK.
Mark Fraser has made some highly fanciful claims about these cats
and, while we do believe there are some cats out there, we have yet
to see the proof.
According to these groups, the UK is plagued by big cats, yet not one
shred of evidence has been produced to prove their existence.
Every year we see these groups making statements that are pure fantasy.
People see what they want to see and will believe anything that the
so called "experts" tell them.
Why people are so easily gulled by the egotistical and
self-proclaiming I do not know. But what I can tell you is this: If
you go on safari in Africa or on holiday in India or parts of
America, you will see big cats and you can take many pictures, by day
and night.
Yet in the UK, all we get as proof is an out-of-focus picture- and
little else in the way of hard evidence.
Not one picture or paw print has ever been proven.
Why is the evidence so thin on the ground?
Please stay away from these self-appointed groups and individuals who
claim they "know" this and that.
Mark Fraser has said that he will be using five big cat experts to
hunt for these animals, but ask yourself this: Why has he not named
them and why does he not state their expertise?
Do not beguiled into world of the fantasy players whose sole aim is
to deceive you. Use your eyes and ears.
Better still, use your head and think for yourself. If you believe
you have seen something, then please call the real experts like me
and other zoos- as well as the Scottish Big Cat Trust, which is the
only registered charity here properly researching exotic cats.
Paul Paterson
Big Cat Keeper Glasgow Zoo.
© The Daily Mail, 1 st July 2004
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