Scotland Top In Britain For Alien Big Cat Sightings.
Scotland is the ‘alien big cat’ capital of Britain, according to research revealed yesterday. Nearly one in six reports of a strange feline shadow in the undergrowth or the haze of an oversized moggy dashing across a road were made north of the border, according to an English based magazine.
Of the 487 last recorded sightings over the past three years, 78 were in Scotland. The next hotspots are Gloucestershire (55), Cornwall (52), Sussex (45), Devon (42) and Wales (41)
Norfolk and Kent both recorded 36 sightings, and Leicestershire and Buckinghamshire 32. They were followed by Northampton (25) and Essex (10).
The monthly magazine on strange phenomenon and experiences says sightings of what it calls ABCs - Alien Big Cats - have risen steadily since the first sighting in 1963, and rose dramatically last year.
A brush with one of the elusive creatures - which are typically Leopard-sized but black or brown with a long tail - has become the most common brush with the unknown, according to the magazine.
But the true number of sightings may be much higher as many are never recorded or are only made known to local interest groups.
Editor Paul Sievking said: “How these ABCs first entered Britain is still unexplained yet evidence shows that sightings of ABCs are on the increase.”
He said people have made sightings from their kitchen windows, when out walking the dog or when driving along the motorway.
David Sutton, managing editor said: “Scotland is a favourite for these cats because of its space and seclusion. We don’t think these sightings are being mixed up with the Scottish Wildcat, which is a totally different animal altogether.”
The first sighting of a strange cat was made in Surrey in 1963, according to the magazine called Fortean Times.
No concrete explanation has come forward for the many sightings, although one theory is that the beasts are escaped exotic pets. The so-called Beast of Bodmin is one of the better known cases in recent years, believed to have accounted for many of the sightings in the West Country.
The big cat phenomenon has been added to by reports of mutilated livestock with crushed skulls and claw marks.
Other clues that have fuelled speculation about their existence include reports of missing pets, I large droppings and abnormally large paw prints, some more than five inches wide.
Dundee Courier: 19th April 2001.
Do you have any information on the above news item. Were you the person involved, or are you aware of any more sightings in this area. We would appreciate any information that you could give us.
