Friday 31 January 2014

VIDEO LINK: Lost Land of the Tiger

Episode 1

1/3 Explorer Steve Backshall and
  • Bengal Tiger

    Bengal Tiger
    The team are looking for evidence of Bengal tigers in Bhutan. These are the largest of the world's big cats and can weigh up to 300kg. Despite their size they are extremely secretive and difficult to track down in Bhutan's forest wilderness.a bbc iplayerl link
 sniffer dog Bruiser hunt for tigers through the undergrowth

VIDEO LINK: Lost Land of the Jaguar

Episode 1 of 3
DURATION: 59 MINUTES
Series combining stunning wildlife with high octane adventure as a team of explorers search the depths of the last great unspoilt jungle on the planet.
Cameras follow the team every sweaty step of the way as they explore the beautiful wilderness of Guyana, from abseiling down one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world to climbing to the very top of the rainforest trees. Known as the land of giants, Guyana is home to the huge anaconda, the world's largest tarantula and giant otters
Gordon Buchanan goes in search of the elusive jaguar, while Steve Backshall abseils down one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world to see the creatures living there. Meanwhile, Justine Evans climbs to the top of the rainforest trees in search of monkeys and macaws and George McGavin explores rotten logs for whip spiders.bbc link to programme

Sunday 26 January 2014

US SIGHTINGS: Try to avoid meeting this new cougar around town

Try to avoid meeting this new cougar around town
Today's News-Herald - Lake Havasu City, it's likely that there's a new cougar in town, but you'll want to steer clear. The big cat may not be chasing after younger men, but the ...

NEWSLINK: Malcolm's feline just fine after his mystery disappearance

Malcolm's feline just fine after his mystery disappearance
Isle of Man Today - He may not quite fit among the ranks of TS Eliot's famous felines, but Malcolm is clearly a mystery cat in his own right. Owner Joanne Lowe spent 10 ...

Saturday 25 January 2014

ORPHANED TEENAGE LIONS GO FOR A WALK

VIDEO: The big cat shoot. Lusy Logan poses with CHEETAHS | Mail ...

VIDEO: The big cat shoot. Lusy Logan poses with CHEETAHS | Mail ...
The big cat sanctuary has been slammed for allowing a model into one of its enclosures for a raunchy photoshoot. Heavily-tattooed Lusy Logan who ...

NEWSLINK: Tigers and Elephant Survive Circus Wagon Fire | Big Cat Rescue

Tigers and Elephant Survive Circus Wagon Fire | Big Cat Rescue
Animal protection officials helped get the two big cats into cages, while the elephant was kept on a leash by the side of the road, said a spokesman for ...

NEWSLINK: Expert says cougar hunting in Nebraska will attract young, wild cats

Expert says cougar hunting in Nebraska will attract young, wild cats
Omaha World-Herald - For starters, hunting small populations of cougars like Nebraska's runs the risk of wiping the big cats off the landscape, said Robert Wielgus, a wildlife ...

NEWSLINK: Daily Mail Big cat sanctuary under fire for allowing model, 24, into a cheetah's ... Daily Mail - A big cat sanctuary has been branded 'dangerous and irresponsible' after allowing a glamour model stage a raunchy photoshoot in its cheetah ...

Daily Mail

Big cat sanctuary under fire for allowing model, 24, into a cheetah's ...
Daily Mail - A big cat sanctuary has been branded 'dangerous and irresponsible' after allowing a glamour model stage a raunchy photoshoot in its cheetah ...

VIDEO: Watch Big Cats Do What Little Cats Do-video

VIDEO: The making of wildlife documentary Last of the Scottish Wildcats--video

VIDEO: European Wild Cats-video

VIDEO: The Black-footed Cat: Africa's Smallest Wild Cat-video

UK SIGHTINGS: Freedom of Information request leads to fresh rumours about whether big cats could be on the loose in Cambridgeshire

Police have been contacted about eight big cat sightings since 2010.For decades there have been reports of large wild cats roaming the Cambridgeshirecountryside.
Now, in response to a freedom of information request, the police have revealed that they've been contacted about eight sightings since 2010.

UK SIGHTINGS: Police contacted about big cat sightings in Devon and Cornwall

Falmouth Packet: Panthers in Penryn and lions at Longdowns. Police contacted about big cat sightings in Devon and CornwallPeople in Devon and Cornwall are convinced panthers, pumas, and even a tiger, are roaming the counties, if reports to police are to be believed, with one person from Helston saying a large cat knocked something over in their garden.
A Freedom of Information request to the force asked how many reports of ‘big cats’ have been made, and the details of these reports and what people claim to have seen.
The police searched their database for the October 2012 to October 2013 period and came up with 11 hits.
Apart from the mystery large cat knocking things over in a Helston garden, a caller from St Blazey said they had spotted a large cat, not a normal domesticated one in May 2013.
The majority of reports are from Devon, with one caller from Exmouth saying they had spotted a tiger. However there may be a less exciting reason for the sighting, with a note on the report that an officer had spoken to care home staff and that they would check on the caller.
In Efford near Plymouth last February a ‘hunting man’ reported what he was sure was a puma, saying it was definitely not a domestic cat or dog. Approximately 18 inches tall, it held its head high, and the tail curved upwards.read more

US SIGHTINGS: Mystery cat photographed: Panther or bobcat? Or something else?

This interesting cat was photographed in Screven County recently by a hunter's trail camera. Can you identify the species?  Georgia wildlife officials say we don't have panthers - and people who claim to have seen one continue to insist otherwise.
It's a perennial stalemate that has lingered for decades, with dozens of sightings reported annually across Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.
Without evidence, however, the reports are routinely dismissed as mistaken identity linked to hound dogs, bobcats, large feral cats or small deer.
The lone exception was a 140-pound panther killed during a black powder hunt in 2008 near West Point Lake in Troup County. Genetic tests confirmed it was not - as biologists first said - read more

UK SIGHTINGS: Terrified runners spot 'big cat' on Scout Scar

Two terrified runners have spoken of their face-to-face encounter with South Lakeland’s mysterious big ‘black cat’.
The latest sighting was reported by Angela Jones and Eve Grayson, whose evening jog on Scout Scar was dramatically interrupted at around 6.30pm last Wednesday.
They have vowed never to venture up to the popular beauty spot in darkness again after coming across what they said was ‘definitely’ a big cat.
It follows years of apparent sightings of the curious creature in Kendal, Levens, Natland, Witherslack and in the Winster Valley.
The jogging duo, who both live in Kendal, spotted the animal just four metres in front of them on the side of a path.
Angela said the animal was jet black, the same size as a labrador, had long legs, a tail and was staring straight at them.
“We stopped, shone our head torches towards it to get a better look and saw two orange eyes and the outline of a large feline animal,” said Angela “It was definitely a big cat

read more

VIDEO: Large Cat Sightings & Witnesses Documentary-video

Thursday 23 January 2014

NEWSLINK: Another leopard trapped in Aarey Colony

Another leopard trapped in Aarey Colony
Indian Express - Summary. The three-year-old big cat fell into a trap that was set up on the road leading to the Aarey VIP guest house. Tweet This ...

NEWSLINK: Only 400 lions live in West Africa

GreenPacks

Only 400 lions live in West Africa
Tottenham News - Fewer and fewer lions live in the wild, the existence of the Big Cat diminished during the last few decades by almost half. Animal rights activists are ...

NEWSLINK: Snow leopard Uzbekistan: Rare leopard reveals new evidence of ...

Examiner.com

Snow leopard Uzbekistan: Rare leopard reveals new evidence of ...
Examiner.com - A snow leopard Uzbekistan sighting is causing both animal experts and big cat lovers around the world to relish the very first photos ever of these ...

NEWSLINK: Smarden big cat sanctuary the Wildlife Heritage Foundation ...

Kent Online

Smarden big cat sanctuary the Wildlife Heritage Foundation ...
Kent Online - A big cat sanctuary has today been criticised for allowing a model into one of its enclosures - for a photoshoot with cheetahs. Heavily-tattooed Lusy ...

Wednesday 22 January 2014

NEWSLINK: Cats think their human owners are big stupid mama cats

Cats think their human owners are big stupid mama cats allvoices
According to the British anthrozoologist John Bradshaw, cats regard their owners as large, rather stupid members of their own species, but not hostile.
See all stories on this topic »

NEWSLINK: Trophy Tales: Taking a big cat in Cat Canyon

Trophy Tales: Taking a big cat in Cat Canyon Rapid City Journal
Shooting from a blind in Spring Creek Canyon, Colson had missed a big ... “There is so much cover, which played to my advantage with these cats.
See all stories on this topic » 

NEWSLINK: Tiger attack: Farmer killed by big cat in north India

Tiger attack: Farmer killed by big cat in north India Irish Independent
Tiger attack: Farmer killed by big cat in north India. Comments. Email; Print; Font Size. A tiger kills a farmer in a field in the northern Uttar Pradesh ...
See all stories on this topic »

NEWSLINK: Mystery of the runaway cat found at hotel 270 miles away

Mystery of the runaway cat found at hotel 270 miles away Express.co.uk
COOKIE the cat is back home from her New Year break after mysteriously turning up at a posh hotel 270 miles away. By: Paul Jeeves. Published: Sat ...
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Monday 20 January 2014

NEWSLINK: Freed exotic pets are a fast-growing problem - Big Cat Rescue | Big ...

Freed exotic pets are a fast-growing problem - Big Cat Rescue | Big ...
Freed exotic pets are a fast-growing problem. The Florida Department of Agriculture released a public service announcement urging exotic pet owners ...

NEWSLINK: High-tech DNA analysis technology aids the cheetah - Big Cat Rescue

High-tech DNA analysis technology aids the cheetah - Big Cat Rescue
Cheetahs are one of the most specialized cat species, exhibiting minimal ... Learn more about big cats and Big Cat Rescue at http://bigcatrescue.org ...

NEWSLINK: Crimes Against Nature - Big Cat Rescue

Crimes Against Nature - Big Cat Rescue
Crimes Against Nature. A new TV series on Nat Geo premiers tonight in the US. It covers illegal wildlife trade and efforts to stop it in Asia. There will be ...

NEWSLINK: Two frozen tigers seized in Vietnam - Big Cat Rescue

Two frozen tigers seized in Vietnam - Big Cat Rescue
Two frozen tigers seized in Vietnam. HANOI – Environmental authorities have seized two frozen tigers in Vietnam, where only a few dozen of the ...

NEWSLINK: Sea rise could spell end for Sundarban Tigers: WWF

Sea rise could spell end for Sundarban Tigers: WWF

Sea rise could spell end for Sundarban Tigers: WWF
Maruf Mallick
bdnews24.com’s environment correspondent
Falun, Sweden, 23 January (bdnews24.com) — One of the world’s largest tiger populations could disappear by the end of this century as rising sea levels caused by climate change destroy their habitat in the Sundarbans along the coast of Bangladesh, according to a new World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-led study published in the journal Climatic Change.
Tigers are among the world’s most threatened species, with only an estimated 3,200 remaining in the wild, Swiss-based WWF, the worlds largest conservations organisation, said in a report on Friday.

US SIGHTINGS: Corvallis, OR Authorities Kill Another Cougar

Corvallis, OR Authorities Kill Another Cougar

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Wildlife experts along with Corvallis Police trapped and killed a cougar found in a Corvallis neighborhood. Experts say a cougar had been living under the deck of a home in the 4100 block of NW Boxwood Drive for several days.
The animal had dragged and eaten a deer carcass below the house. The cougar had also killed a house cat and attacked dog.

NEWSLINK: Exotic animals are urgent problem in Northern Ireland

Exotic animals are urgent problem in Northern Ireland

Monkey is found in housing estate A tamarin monkey from South America has been been recovered from a house in County Armagh.The black and white monkey, which is on a list of endangered animals, was recovered by the Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. It was discovered in the Legahory estate, Craigavon.
Stephen Philpott from the USPCA said the government needed to apply legislation surrounding the import of animals. “The USPCA have being saying for a long time now that the Dangerous Wild Animals Act needs to be applied to Northern Ireland as a matter of extreme urgency,” he said.

NEWSLINK: Liability a factor in proposed ban of circus animals

Liability a factor in proposed ban of circus animals Worcester Telegram
During a circus stop at the DCU Center in October 2013, big cat trainer Alexander Lacey gives a kiss to Masai, an 800-pound, 5-year-old African lion.
See all stories on this topic » 

US SIGHTINGS: Dog Was "Fighting for His Life" in Mountain Lion Attack

Dog Was "Fighting for His Life" in Mountain Lion Attack NBC Southern California
A Sun Valley man says he saw a mountain lion drag away his beloved dog Duke, and he believes this attack has similarities with other big cat ...
See all stories on this topic » 

NEWSLINK: Return of the Jaguarundis: New Federal Plan Could Bring Small Endangered Cats Back to South Texas

For Immediate Release, January 10, 2014
Contact: Michael Robinson, (575) 313-7017
Return of the Jaguarundis: New Federal Plan Could Bring Small Endangered Cats Back to South Texas
Gulf Coast jaguarundi


Photo courtesy USFWS.
This photo is available for media use.
SILVER CITY, N.M.— A new federal recovery plan for Gulf Coast jaguarundis — rare and enigmatic felines slightly larger than house cats — calls for reintroducing them to south Texas, provided none can be found to still live there and other conditions are met. Jaguarundis, which have long necks, short legs and elongated tails, have been protected as an endangered species since 1976. The closest known population is 130 miles south of the border, in Mexico.

“Returning jaguarundis to the thickets and grasslands of the Rio Grande Valley to hunt for rodents and reptiles could help protect these fascinating and little-studied animals from extinction,” said Michael Robinson of the Center for Biological Diversity. “We sure hope the Fish and Wildlife Service will move forward with getting these beautiful cats back into the United States.”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recovery plan calls for ending Endangered Species Act protections for the Gulf Coast jaguarundis after there are 500 animals distributed among three populations with connectivity between them, which is important for genetic health.

Sunday 19 January 2014

NEWSLINK: Critically endangered female Amur leopard killed by mate at ...

Critically endangered female Amur leopard killed by mate at ... Examiner.com
The Amur leopard is the most endangered big cat in the world. Teetering on the brink of extinction, there are only about 30-40 individuals left in the ...
See all stories on this topic » 

NEWSLINK: 'Lion whisperer' gets close with big cats in viral video

'Lion whisperer' gets close with big cats in viral video Today.com (blog)
Looking to get up close and personal with a lion? Look no further than this remarkable viral video of "lion whisperer" Kevin Richardson getting cuddly ...
See all stories on this topic » 

NEWSLINK: India Tiger Virus Joins Poaching, Encroachment as Big Cat Threat

India Tiger Virus Joins Poaching, Encroachment as Big Cat Threat Newsmax.com
India, which is home to half the world's estimated 3,200 tigers, has seen an rise of the viral disease among its big cat population, while simultaneously ...
See all stories on this topic » 

NEWSLINK: Puma in Efford among 220 big cat sightings in Devon and Cornwall

Puma in Efford among 220 big cat sightings in Devon and Cornwall Plymouth Herald
Four people called to report not sighting of big cats, but livestock they believed to have been killed by big cats thanks to claw marks on the corpses.
See all stories on this topic » 

NEWSLINK: Bengal's 'big cat minstrel'

Bengal's 'big cat minstrel' Times of India
Abhishek Ray, music composer for films like 'Paan Singh Tomar' and 'I Am Kalam', is a bona fide environmentalist, participating in big cat census ...
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LOCAL POLICE -BIG CATS REPORTED


A tiger sighting was among 10 big cat reports to Devon and Cornwall Police last year, it has emerged.
The animal was reported at an Exmouth care home in January 2013.
Another Devon caller reported a "wild beast locked inside a room" of his house, while a "large cat knocked something over" in the premises of a caller in Helston, Cornwall, last May.

Saturday 18 January 2014

AUSTRALIA SIGHTINGS: The mystery of big cat sightings

T'S the mystery that refuses to die.Documents released by Parks Victoria show the organisation continues to receive alerts of big cat sightings in the Grampians region and elsewhere throughout the state.Intriguing correspondence obtained under the Freedom of Information Act reveals campers and bushwalkers have reported a variety of contacts with large, feline-like animals."My husband has sighted (and reported) the puma several times over the past 20-plus years, suggesting a territorial pattern of movement," wrote one Grampians visitor last year.And in September another reported seeing a "large cat-like animal" while driving along the Glenelg River Rd. "I have seen large black cats before but never 150cm long. I am just saying what I saw, no more," the camper wrote.But Parks Victoria says there have been no "confirmed" sightings of pumas, panthers or any sort of big cats in the region or elsewhere in the state.Evidence such as photographs, DNA or live/dead capture simply doesn't exist, according to a departmental officer.The FOI requests were instigated by 42-year-old independent amateur big cat researcher Michael Moss.Mr Moss, from the Melbourne suburb of Richmond, said previous FOI requests over the past decade supported big cat sightings in every state of Australia, and that the latest crop of documents only confirmed their existence."I speak to the farming communities," he said."The farming communities are seeing Tasmanian Tigers regularly. Parks Victoria doesn't want to know about it. They just want the whole thing to go away."But some claims in the FOI documents are extraordinarily detailed.In an extensive Grampians sighting, a spotter writes over three pages how his dog chased "the strangest animal with stripes on its back.""The best description I can give is that (the animal) bounded on the combined back legs onto the READ MORE

US SIGHTINGS: Mystery Animal Seen Lurking In Bloomingdale Preserve

CBS) – An unidentified animal seen on thermal video in a Bloomingdale forest preserve – some speculate it could be a large cat — has people buzzing in DuPage County.
CBS 2’s Mike Parker reports.
The Meacham Grove Forest Preserve is 252 magnificent acres of prairies, fishing spots, jogging and bike trails and thick woodlands.  In those woods, something lurks.
A police helicopter using a thermal imaging video camera caught pictures last month of something alive high in the trees. The camera clearly shows something moving way up near the treetops.  It appears to have a tail.
“They flew over it for a few minutes, took some video of it, and they thought it was some type of possible large cat, on a tree limb,” Bloomingdale Police Chief Frank Giamarrese says.
Could it be a cougar, mountain lion or a large domestic cat?
The chief forest preserve naturalist, John Oldenburg, says as far as he can tell it’s a blob in a tree that moves.
“We have seen no evidence of any large feline cat, bobcat, cougar or whatever,” he says.
Still, what if there is a large cat lurking and you’re confronted?
“I would just keep my distance, maybe notify local law enforcement or the forest preserve or (Department of Natural Resources),” Giamarrese says.
He says he would not recommend calling, “Here, kitty, kitty.”READ MORE

US SIGHTINGS: Florida mystery

A year ago, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission invited the public to submit reports of any sightings or signs of the elusive Florida panther to a new website the agency had created.
The very first one that popped in turned out to be a monkey. Specifically, a rhesus macaque roaming the woods near Silver Springs.
Panther biologists looked at the photo, looked at each other and said, "Oh, yeah, this is off to a greatstart," recalled biologist Dave Onorato.But among the other 789 reports submitted in the past 12 months, the biologists did see some actual panthers, said Darrell Land, who heads the wildlife commission's panther team. Five percent — about 40 — were sightings of panthers that could be verified through photos or tracks. Some of those verified sightings came with a story. One came from a couple living in the Golden Gate Estates development near Naples, Marc Strzodka and Saskia Fischer.READ MORE

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