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Nature FeaturesYou are in: Tees > Nature > Nature Features > Big cats in Teesside?  Have you seen a Puma? Big cats in Teesside?The North East is apparently full of big cats, with sightings of black panthers, and pumas being reported more here than anywhere else in the UK... have you seen one, or are you a non believer? Still a sceptic?· A specimen of a black puma has never been known to science - they simply do not exist. · Even though the Wildlife Act never came into force until 1976, due to a loophole it was not illegal to release an exotic animal into the British countryside until 1981. · The Wildlife Act never came into force in Northern Ireland until the 6th of December 2006 (90 day amnesty period after that date). · There are no laws in the Irish Republic in regards to owning exotic animals. Although it is illegal to import them without a licence. · Lynx have been caught, leopard cats and jungle cats shot and run over, even a puma has been caught in a trap. The black cats make up the biggest bulk of the reports but nobody as has yet been found. · The British climate holds no problems for big cats - they need food, water and a mate. The first two are here in abundance! · Many big cats have been reported as being with cubs, if true then they must be breeding. · Nobody has been killed by a big cat in the British Isles and reported injuries have been relatively minor Did you know that big cats have been reported in the British Isles for over 50 years now... and not just by the types of people who claim to have been abducted by aliens either? But even with all those reported sightings, there's still no actual evidence that these animals exist. The Big Cats in Britain group meet regularly to discuss these sightings, and hopefully find that crucial piece of evidence to prove that big cats do really live in the wild in the UK. Their next meeting will be held at the Marton Country Club in Middlesbrough, on the weekend of March the 20th to the 22nd. Apparently the greatest number of reported sightings of large cats comes from our area, and with people claiming to have spotted big black panther-like cats left, right and centre, it makes sense to come here and find out more. The weekend will include talks and displays of live web cams, skulls and other big cat related material. So are these big beasts really roaming our landscape or is it just over active minds running away with themselves?Inspector Eddie Bell of the Durham Police will be at the get together presenting results of his 22 years of research in the area: "I think there are wild-born animals out there - enough to maintain a local population. We have had very good sightings from people who should know, like biologists, and also other evidence such as a footprint identified as a puma near Barnard Castle." North East ecologist Ian Bond of the Northumbrian Mammal Group will also be speaking at the conference: "The focus seems to be mainly in the Tynedale area at present with sightings easily in double figures in the last two years. But there is also a good cluster of sightings near Whitby, and the Trimdon Panther has been sighted again north of Hartlepool recently. "I have no doubt whatsoever that there are some big cats out there, possibly of two or three different species. "Some of the sightings have been made by excellent naturalists who are unlikely to have got it wrong." BCIB are looking for witnesses to contact them with sightings in their area, video footage, photographs are most welcomed. A short film is being produced from the area, and any persons wishing to take part should contact BCIB for filming in February. So if you're into your big cats, or want to share your experiences, then get yourself along to the Marton Country Club in Middlesbrough for the gathering. Tickets cost for the full weekend £25 - one day £15 each.last updated: 03/02/2009 at 14:25 SEE ALSOYou are in: Tees > Nature > Nature Features > Big cats in Teesside? 
 
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