Big cat sightings on the increase in northern Lincolnshire as stripped animal carcasses are found
HAVE you seen a Lincolnshire big cat?
Fisherman Phil Beach, 34, came face to face with what he thought was a lynx picking up fish from the sea wall at Stallingborough last month.
Since then, a number of readers have come forward with sightings, including amateur wildlife watcher James Elliott, 36, of Wybers Wood, who saw a huge black cat while walking in a field in Brigsley.
In the following month, he found eight carcasses – six sheep and two deer – in the surrounding area near Barnoldby-le-Beck, and some large cat-like footprints, in the summer of 2011.
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Mr Elliott said: "I know my wildlife and the cat we saw walking across the middle of the field was big and had a very long tail – there was no way it was a domestic cat or a dog.
"I walk in that area quite regularly and started finding these carcasses, stripped to the bone while there was still wool and fur on the ground.
"One day, I found entrails in the middle of a field and the carcass in a ditch, as though it had been dragged somewhere sheltered – which is something a big cat might do."
The black cat that Mr Elliott described must be a different one to the sandy-coloured animal spotted by Mr Beach.
However, Mr Elliott, who runs a Facebook page for local otter watchers, said big cats living in Lincolnshire is more likely than some might think.
He added: "There is a chance that the carcasses could have been killed by a very large fox or a number of escaped dogs but it is unlikely that they killed so many animals in such a short time.
"People might think it is crazy but seeing a big cat is not like saying you saw a unicorn – many of them were kept as pets and released when it became illegal in the 70s and could have bred and survived, plus people still import them today."
Another member of the public, who did not want to be named, said he saw a big cat while driving near Welton-le-Wold, just outside of Louth around the same period as Mr Elliott, in August 2011.
He said: "I was driving along and this huge, sandy- -coloured cat, the size of an Alsatian jumped out in front of the car into the road – I almost hit it.
"There was a combine harvester working in the field nearby so I think it must have disturbed the cat.
"It was really big and quite muscular so you could see it was no ordinary household cat."
Have you seen a big cat in the area?
If so, visit www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk and leave a comment on the story or email james.dunn@gsmg.co.uk
To talk to Mr Elliott about local wildlife, search "otter watch" on Facebook and join the group.
Comments
by geddylee1
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 5:34PM
“hey up Hmm_mmm
Any farmer would get fined if he threw the dead sheep in a ditch (let alone 6). Without doubt, they were animal kills be it fox, dog, or large cat. Anyhow, its not that inconceivable. If you go on the otter watch facebook it shows further pictures.
p.s Your comment aimed at fitties1 was funny.”
by geddylee1
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 5:22PM
“It's odd how the guy from jungle world thought that it was probably foxes who killed all the sheep and deer in a few weeks. I have done this walk for years and never seen anything like it BEFORE or SINCE and the same family of foxes still frequent the area.
How many foxes do you know that can kill a fully grown sheep and drag it across a field......probably about none!”
by Stubie
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 2:48PM
“I worked for sometime out at Gainsthorpe near Kirton lindsey. There is an old cement works there, most of which is Cousins Transport yard.
Early one morning about 04-00 hrs I was waiting to take over a truck that had been out on a night run. The vehicle was delayed and as the yard got busier I chatted to other drivers to pass the time until my wagon returned.
About 06-00 I was chatting to a gardener who had a small compound in the yard. Over the shoulder of the gardener I saw a large cat with a very long tail, move slowly across an unmade road way in the distance. The animal remained low as if it was stalking something on the perimeter of the yard. There was nothing close to the animal to give any measure of perspective but in my opinion the creature was at least 3 times the size of a large domestic cat.
The most striking feature of the animal, was the long tail, far longer than a domestic moggy would have. The tail was curled up upon its self and now and then as the cat moved slowly forward it unfurled it. I would say that the tail was at least as long as the animal. The colour of the cat was jet black and it reminded me of pictures of a Panther.
When I told the gardener what I had seen, he was completely unfazed, stating that he had seen more than one of the creatures at the same location and in his opinion there was at least one breeding pair.”
by WalterMitty1
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 2:38PM
“The big fat cat was either Lord Prescott or one of his Jaguars feasting on freebies,as the picture shows it to be a car-case.”
by davendogs
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 1:40PM
“Whatever they are, the descriptions are Puma. The black variety and the golden or sand, commonly the mountain lion. Lynx are a totally different cat. Leaving a carcass out in the open doesn't fit. That could have been picked clean afterwards by fox or corvids. Droppings will clinch it if they are found. On a less serious note, can you imagine the size of the furball.”
by hmm_mmm
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 12:53PM
“If anyone thinks that those skeletal remains shown in that picture are the result of an animal kill, then they've got problems.
Someone will come on here soon and claim that they saw the big cat close by, flossing its teeth with a tendon, while lounging against a tree and who will be the first to report being lead to a kill by hovering vultures?
Xmas comes earlier and earlier and so it would seem does April Fools' Day.
Fitties1 it's to be hoped that you're at your permanent address at this time of year.”
by geddylee1
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 12:27PM
“Its not really that bizarre to be honest but very interesting.”
by geddylee1
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 12:19PM
“Its not really that bizarre to be honest but very interesting.”
by geddylee1
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 12:16PM
“I find it really strange how more people believe in God than big cats.”
by mariners1
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 12:00PM
“I've seen quite a few fat cats, but then again, I was walking past the council offices!!!!”