The rumors have persisted for decades. many English people believe that big cats can be found roaming the English woods. Now big cat DNA found on a mauled sheep may be the first serious evidence that it is true.
According to the Daily Express the find occurred in Cumbria. Cumbria is located in north east England near Dumfries in Scotland. Lake District National Park is located in the ceremonial county.
The express said that the discovery was made by a woman who saw what looked like a black cat feeding.
“Cumbrian resident Sharon Larkin-Snowden discovered the remains in an undisclosed location in the Lake District in October after she disturbed the creature which had been feeding on the carcass,” according to The Express.
“”She told the BBC: “I saw something black, running, and I assumed at first it was a sheepdog.”
The woman watched it and realized it was a cat was disturbed while feeding. She took a DNA swab and gave it to a podcaster who in turn gave it to Professor Robin Allaby. Allaby is a professor at the University of Warwick. His principal academic interest is in the domestication of plants.
At first Allaby was duly sceptical but was won over.
“The sample was analysed at his University of Warwick lab and the findings prompted Mr Allaby to confirm it was not a fake.
He added: “If this were a fake, I would expect plenty of DNA to be present in order that we would be sure to find it.” According to The Express.
“It would be very difficult to plant just a few molecules with any finesse – I don’t think I could do it, let alone a lay person.”
Although the DNA was imprecise – it could belong to a tiger, a lion, a leopard, a jaguar or a snow leopard – the most likely candidate is a leopard.
Some believe that big cats in England were released quietly from private ownership as laws tightened starting in the 1970s. Persistent sightings have kept many experts doubtful but open-minded. The finding of big cat DNA is a step towards proof.
Meanwhile, in the United States controversialist Joe Rogan believes he saw what he called a black panther outside his Texas home. US authorities are more skeptical but Texas is home to many exotic animals held quietly. Some say more tigers are held in private hands in the Lone Star State than live in the wild. An escaped privately held leopard is not impossible. Rogan’s sighting did not result in finding big cat DNA.