Big cat in Monifieth unlikely but not impossible, says Tayside Police expert

The possibility of a big cat roaming Monifieth is unlikely — but not impossible.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

That is the view of Tayside Police wildlife and environment officer Alan Stewart following the discovery of a deer carcase on town's golf course.

A member of the club contacted The Courier yesterday suggesting that the remains showed possible signs of a big cat in the area.

The bones, since stripped of meat by either one or more animals, were found on the 13th hole, helping to fuel rumours of a puma-like creature in the town.

However, when evaluating such a possibility, Mr Stewart said the chances of such an animal living in Scotland were slim.

He said, "At this time of year a deer carcase would be a good source of food.

"Everything would be having a go at it so it's not surprising that it's been stripped clear."

He added, "There are lots of gamekeepers out at night and they have never caught a big cat so I'm still sceptical."

It's not the first time that sightings of a mysterious creature have been reported near the town.

In 2005 a local woman claimed to have seen a puma and cub curled up beneath a tree near her home, while there have also been reports of unexplained pawprints in the bunkers on Carnoustie's golf links.

Mr Stewart said, "We've had two big cat sightings in that area in the past.

"In one case the pawprints were photographed and showed that the claws weren't retracted."

He added, "The only cat I know of that doesn't retract its claws when walking is a cheetah and it wasn't that."

The prints were found to be that of a dog, and yet there remains something about the possibility of a big cat sighting that captures the public imagination.

Mr Stewart said that while it is impossible to completely rule out the existence of big cats in the area, he would take a great deal of convincing to believe they are living here.

"The people who see these animals tend to be convinced," he said. "But usually it is a genuine mistake.

"I would never say never but it is highly unlikely."

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/Living/Outdoors/article/9297/big-cat-in-monifieth-unlikely-but-not-impossible-says-tayside-police-expert.html (see link for photo of a 'big cat', apparently captured on film in Argyllshire by the group Big Cats in Britain.)