A CUMBRIAN ‘big cat’ expert has disputed the claim that no large felines have been spotted in the county.
New data obtained from the Cumbria Constabulary through a Freedom Of Information request shows that between October 2021 and October 2022 there were no confirmed sightings of any ‘big cats’
The Cumbria Constabulary defined ‘big cats’ as including a range of animals like lions, panthers, pumas, leopards, tigers and lynxes.
However, admin of the Big Cats in Cumbria facebook page Sharon Larkin-Snowden disputes this official data, and suggests that sightings are much more frequent.
She said: “I am surprised, really surprised. We have had sightings, we had one two days ago, someone saw a big black cat at Thirlmere.
“We get a sighting every two or three months.”
Sharon also explained that there is evidence that points to the existence of these beasts in Cumbria, including the mysterious deaths of livestock.
She said: “We have evidence of the tooth pits and we have matched them with leopards.
“These farmers know that their sheep killings are not by dogs.
“We have also had hair samples come back as leopard.
“The evidence is there. It’s just getting that decent photo as they are so elusive.”
This data has been collected by the Cumbria Constabulary but Sharon suggests that people do not always report sightings and that the police do not have the ability to confirm them.
She said: “People are not reporting the sightings as they are embarrassed to call the police, they think that they are wasting police time.
“The police don’t have the manpower to follow up on the sightings.
“The Facebook page makes it easier to report as people feel ridiculous calling the police.”
According to Sharon, sightings are expected to increase around this time of year as these big cats bound about the Cumbrian countryside.
She said: “The sightings pick up at this time of year as the cats come down from the fells
“There are so many places for the cats to hide, we have so much countryside.”
