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.