5ft puma on prowl at leisure complex

By RICHARD WHITE

 

Published: 09 Oct 2010
 
A PUMA is on the prowl... in Royal Tunbridge Wells, locals warned last night.
The five-foot beast was seen roaming near bins by two women at a leisure park in the Kent town.

 

Staff at the complex, near woods, also reported hearing terrifying growls.

 

Ashish Patel, manager of Frankie and Benny's restaurant, said: "I was locking up when I heard an almighty noise from behind the restaurant.

 

"I opened the door and realised it was coming from the woods.

 

"It sounded like two ferocious animals snarling at each other.

 

"The woodland is very dark and thick so it was pretty scary. It made me think of a lion.

 

"I know there have been sightings of big cats in this area before."

 

One Odeon cinema worker added: "We heard a growling then scraping like claws on a metal blind. We all left at the same time that night - there was no way any of us was going out alone."

 

Expert Neil Arnold said he had received several big cat reports from the area - including from the two women.

 

He said: "It was 200 yards in front of them.

 

"The women said it was enormous, about 4ft to 5ft with a very long tail.

 

"The animal was a puma, 100 per cent. The tail is what many people talk about - it is 3ft long and curls down and back like an 'S' shape.

 

"They were spooked, they didn't fancy going any further."

 

He said the beast would be living off rabbits and pheasants.

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3172528/5ft-puma-on-prowl-at-leisure-complex.html

5ft puma on prowl at leisure complex

By RICHARD WHITE

 

Published: 09 Oct 2010
 
A PUMA is on the prowl... in Royal Tunbridge Wells, locals warned last night.
The five-foot beast was seen roaming near bins by two women at a leisure park in the Kent town.

 

Staff at the complex, near woods, also reported hearing terrifying growls.

 

Ashish Patel, manager of Frankie and Benny's restaurant, said: "I was locking up when I heard an almighty noise from behind the restaurant.

 

"I opened the door and realised it was coming from the woods.

 

"It sounded like two ferocious animals snarling at each other.

 

"The woodland is very dark and thick so it was pretty scary. It made me think of a lion.

 

"I know there have been sightings of big cats in this area before."

 

One Odeon cinema worker added: "We heard a growling then scraping like claws on a metal blind. We all left at the same time that night - there was no way any of us was going out alone."

 

Expert Neil Arnold said he had received several big cat reports from the area - including from the two women.

 

He said: "It was 200 yards in front of them.

 

"The women said it was enormous, about 4ft to 5ft with a very long tail.

 

"The animal was a puma, 100 per cent. The tail is what many people talk about - it is 3ft long and curls down and back like an 'S' shape.

 

"They were spooked, they didn't fancy going any further."

 

He said the beast would be living off rabbits and pheasants.

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3172528/5ft-puma-on-prowl-at-leisure-complex.html

Pair's puma sighting – is the beast back?

By mary harris mary.harris@courier.co.uk

THE big cat is back – and it could be roaming in a wood near you.

There have been new sightings in Tunbridge Wells of what is believed to be a puma, also known as a mountain lion or a cougar.

This time the larger, gingery-coloured animal appeared from the undergrowth in Knights Park in Longfield Road.

And staff at nearby Frankie and Benny's restaurant reported hearing a ferocious night-time fight between two animals last weekend.

The county's expert Neil Arnold was contacted by two women who were "unnerved" when 200 yards in front of them in woodland at Knights Park the big cat stopped, stared for about 20 seconds before slinking back amongst the trees

Mr Arnold said the pair were so worried during the incident 10 days ago, they backtracked.

The author of Mystery Animals of the British Isles: Kent, who has spent the past 20 years researching the wild cats, said he had received eight reports this year of evidence or sightings across Tunbridge Wells and surrounding villages including Rusthall and Penshurst.

Mr Arnold said: "People don't ring in about a domestic cat. She was adamant what she saw.

"She said it was enormous, about 4ft long, much larger than a domestic cat or fox and having a very long tail, which was curving.

"The animal was a puma, 100 per cent. They can reach 5ft in length and the tail is what many people talk about, it is 3ft long and curls down and back like an 's' shape.

"They were spooked, they didn't fancy going any further."

He said the cat would be living off rabbits, pigeons and pheasants but it could kill a sheep.

The kills are distinctive because of the abandoned carcasses which have the head left, fleece peeled back and the soft flesh 'rasped' away by the sharp tongue.

At Knights Park, restaurant Frankie and Benny's supervisor Ashish Patel told the Courier: "Behind the restaurant there is woods and last weekend it sounded exactly like animals fighting and screaming or an animal being killed.

"It was very strange, we were surprised."

But Mr Arnold said people should not be unduly nervous about walking in Knights Park woods.

"They're no threat to humans but they are wild animals. They say in the USA, if you are close enough, maintain eye contact with the cat, as it's about respect.

"Don't approach it. The concern is if it is cornered, provoked or injured. That's my concern, if one is injured by an idiot who decides to shoot one," he said.

It is not the first time the puma, which Mr Arnold said had no home unless the female was breeding and had a territory of up to 70sq miles, has been seen in these parts.

He said large cats have been recorded in the British Isles for several centuries, but most of the animals seen in local woodlands were offspring of many released from private collections of puma, black leopard and various other cats in the 1960s and 1970s.

http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/news/Pair-s-puma-sighting-8211-beast/article-2732939-detail/article.html

Pair's puma sighting – is the beast back?

By mary harris mary.harris@courier.co.uk

THE big cat is back – and it could be roaming in a wood near you.

There have been new sightings in Tunbridge Wells of what is believed to be a puma, also known as a mountain lion or a cougar.

This time the larger, gingery-coloured animal appeared from the undergrowth in Knights Park in Longfield Road.

And staff at nearby Frankie and Benny's restaurant reported hearing a ferocious night-time fight between two animals last weekend.

The county's expert Neil Arnold was contacted by two women who were "unnerved" when 200 yards in front of them in woodland at Knights Park the big cat stopped, stared for about 20 seconds before slinking back amongst the trees

Mr Arnold said the pair were so worried during the incident 10 days ago, they backtracked.

The author of Mystery Animals of the British Isles: Kent, who has spent the past 20 years researching the wild cats, said he had received eight reports this year of evidence or sightings across Tunbridge Wells and surrounding villages including Rusthall and Penshurst.

Mr Arnold said: "People don't ring in about a domestic cat. She was adamant what she saw.

"She said it was enormous, about 4ft long, much larger than a domestic cat or fox and having a very long tail, which was curving.

"The animal was a puma, 100 per cent. They can reach 5ft in length and the tail is what many people talk about, it is 3ft long and curls down and back like an 's' shape.

"They were spooked, they didn't fancy going any further."

He said the cat would be living off rabbits, pigeons and pheasants but it could kill a sheep.

The kills are distinctive because of the abandoned carcasses which have the head left, fleece peeled back and the soft flesh 'rasped' away by the sharp tongue.

At Knights Park, restaurant Frankie and Benny's supervisor Ashish Patel told the Courier: "Behind the restaurant there is woods and last weekend it sounded exactly like animals fighting and screaming or an animal being killed.

"It was very strange, we were surprised."

But Mr Arnold said people should not be unduly nervous about walking in Knights Park woods.

"They're no threat to humans but they are wild animals. They say in the USA, if you are close enough, maintain eye contact with the cat, as it's about respect.

"Don't approach it. The concern is if it is cornered, provoked or injured. That's my concern, if one is injured by an idiot who decides to shoot one," he said.

It is not the first time the puma, which Mr Arnold said had no home unless the female was breeding and had a territory of up to 70sq miles, has been seen in these parts.

He said large cats have been recorded in the British Isles for several centuries, but most of the animals seen in local woodlands were offspring of many released from private collections of puma, black leopard and various other cats in the 1960s and 1970s.

http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/news/Pair-s-puma-sighting-8211-beast/article-2732939-detail/article.html

73 big cat sightings this year (via Paul Cropper)

73 big cat sightings this year
15 April 2010
Kentish Express
Copyright 2010. Kent Messenger Limited.

LEOPARDS and a lynx seen in Ashford and Shepway are among 73 big cat sightings across the county already this year.

Big cat expert Neil Arnold, who has been conducting research into the number of wild exotic animals in the area, said there had been numerous sightings in Ashford in February.

A motorist reported that a black leopard ran out in front of his vehicle near Wye at 6pm on Saturday, February 20. This month there have been sightings of a lynx on Romney Marsh and another black leopard at Hawkinge.
Mr Arnold said: "The majority of animals sighted in the countryside are not connected to zoo escapees. He said: "Hundreds of puma and leopards were released in the 1960s and 1970s and what we are seeing is their offspring."

* For more information go to http://www.kentbigcats.blogspot.com/
* Have you encountered a mysterious big cat on your travels? If so write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk

Sightings of big cats 'are not a myth' (via Paul Cropper)

Sightings of big cats 'are not a myth'
15 April 2010
The Dartford Messenger

A KENT big cat expert has got his claws into a group which claims sightings are a myth. What's raised Neil Arnold's hackles is a statement from organisation Natural England that all big cats in the UK are a myth.
But Mr Arnold, who collates sightings from all over the county, said in March alone Kent Big Cat Research has had 27 reports of large, exotic cats which added up to 73 reports so far this year.


Mr Arnold said: "A majority of animals sighted in the countryside are not connected to zoo escapees as the organisation states. Hundreds of pumas and leopards, mainly cubs, were released in the 1960s and 1970s and what we are now seeing are their offspring."


* For more information or to report a sighting, call 07851 602 853.

There are wild big cats (via Paul Cropper)

There are wild big cats
16 April 2010
Kent Messenger

A BIG CAT expert has denied claims that sightings of giant felines in Kent are a myth. What's raised Neil Arnold's hackles is a statement from organisation Natural England casting doubt on the existence of the Beast of Blue Bell Hill and other supposed wild beasts. Mr Arnold, who collates sightings from all over the county, said in March alone Kent Big Cat Research has had 27 reports of large, exotic cats.

They included reports from Blue Bell Hill, Lenham, Lordswood, Densole, Canterbury and Ashford. They bring the total number of sightings this year to 73. Mr Arnold said most sightings were suspected to be of a black leopard.

He said: "Sightings date to the 1500s across Surrey, Kent and Sussex. "A majority of animals sighted in the countryside are not connected to zoo escapees as the organisation states. Hundreds of puma and leopards, mainly cubs, were released in the 1960s and 1970s, and what we are seeing is their offspring. Also, previous centuries prove that animals escaped and were released from menageries."

Natural England, which aims to protect and improve England's natural environment, had dismissed the idea of big cats in the country.

* March 5
A train passenger told Mr Arnold that "on the other side of the tunnel between Boxley and Blue Bell Hill, near train track I saw a big, black cat from a short distance. It resembled a black leopard".
* March 12 A woman called Anne said she saw a big cat which was "very long in the body" while travelling London-bound on the M20 at Lenham.

Report a sighting to Neil Arnold on 07851 602853 or call the Kent Messenger newsdesk on 01622 695666.