The Dartford Messenger
by Tessa Youens
tyouens@thekmgroup.co.uk
NORTH Kent is fast becoming the perfect place to spot a big cat, if the latest round of sightings are to be believed.
Gravesham and Dartford are littered with evidence of wild beasts in the area, ranging from suspected sightings to enormous paw prints.
Just a few days ago another sighting of a black cat was reported to the Messenger by a reader fishing near the River Thames.
Over the years others have reported seeing big cats in Meopham, Culverstone, Chalk, Vigo, Shorne, Higham, Ebbsfleet, Longfield, New Ash Green, Dartford, Bluewater and Swanley, suggesting a not-so-cute critter is on the prowl.
Last week the Messenger reported on golfer Paul Bowles, of Wrotham Road, who came across tracks in a sand bunker at Southern Valley Golf Club, in Thong Lane, Gravesend.
Gigantic
Determined to find what animal left the eight-inch footprints, the 28-year-old sent photographs to several wildlife organisations which have not yet come up with any suggestions.
The week before a woman revealed how she had seen what she thought was a black leopard roaming a snow-covered field next to Bean Primary School.
In March last year another woman claimed she also saw a black leopard "the size of a labrador" in Thames Way, going towards Ebbsfleet Station. That followed a sighting in Fawkham Road, Longfield, the week before.
While some claim the sightings of phantom felines are a joke or hoax, Mike Gillard's experience left him anything but roaring with laughter.
The pensioner claims he came face to face with two black leopards while walking his dog in Meopham in 2007.
He said: "I grabbed hold of the dog, she was going mad. They were hissing. I couldn't believe it. I kept looking at them. I thought I need to back off quick. I ran 200 yards back to the house. It is the first time I've raced that dog. It's the fastest I've moved in years."
And just days ago Jay Williams spotted a large cat while fishing close to Gravesend's sea school at Denton.
In an email to the Messenger he wrote: "I looked round and 30ft behind me I saw a cat, roughly 6ft and black.
"I noticed the back was arched slightly and it had a blunt nose with a long tapering tail."
Jay's description echoes many others who believe they have seen one of north Kent's black leopards.
But those worried about coming face to face with one of the beasts may be able to breathe a small sigh of relief.
Despite north Kent's growing number of big cat reports, Neil Arnold from group Kent Big Cat Research, believes Thanet is the top place to spot a big cat, with a greater number of sightings than anywhere else in Kent.
Mr Arnold is releasing a book called Mystery Animals of Kent which is a 400-page chronicle recording hundreds of cat sightings and photographs of evidence, including paw-prints and sheep kills, including many from north Kent.
He said: "My book covers all the Gravesend sightings, but because such animals have territories of up to 100 square miles, these could also be the same animals seen as far and wide as Higham, Dartford, and even Bexley".
* Anyone whose sees a big cat can call Mr Arnold on 01634 830384 to report the sighting.
THE ENORMOUS paw prints discovered by Paul Bowles in the sand bunker were almost as big as a size 10 human footprint.
As part of our own investigations the Messenger has ruled out the possibility of them being badger paw prints with the help of Derek Wilkinson from the West Kent Badger Group.
Mr Wilkinson said: "It is possible that badger paws could grow to the same size as a human hand but not the size of a man's foot."
Alex Hills, also of the West Kent Badger Group, echoed Mr Wilkinson's view.
But according to Neil Arnold the paw print definitely does not belong to a wild cat.
He said: "The photos are not of a big cat as the heel is too long. I am awaiting for them to be identified by a zoologist, but they certainly do not belong to the Bluewater cat. I have a number of animals in mind, it is just a process of elimination."
According to Mr Arnold there are three species of large cat thought to be roaming around north Kent.
- The most commonly sighted is the black leopard, also known as a panther. It is 4-5ft in length, has a very long tail. It preys on rabbits, pheasants, pigeons, ducks, swans and foxes. Sightings have occurred in north Kent for more than 50 years.
- Another cat is the puma, also known as a mountain lion or cougar. Like the black leopard it is also about 4ft in length with a long tail but is fawn-coloured with a white underside.
- The third is a lynx, which is about 3ft in length with a short tail and large tufted eats. Its coat markings vary from greyish-brown to yellow-fawn with mottled markings.
- There are many rumours of a big cat prowling close to Bluewater Shopping Centre.
Mr Arnold has been contacted by two men who claim they saw the animal in a field next to McDonald's at Greenhithe.
Two months later his sceptical brother-in-law was in the same area at about 5.30pm when he claims he also saw a large black cat. He reported the incident to Kent Police.
Mr Arnold said: "Bluewater and the surrounding areas is ideal habitat for a large cat as there is enough cover, food and water to harbour them."
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