Wednesday 30 May 2018

NEWSLINK: More 'black panther' sightings reported across East Hampshire

Lindsay Black can’t prove that a black panther crossed his path on a bridleway near Clanfield a fortnight ago.

But the Horndean dog walker is not the first person to spot a big cat in the area according to Post readers, and he probably won’t be the last.

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Tuesday 29 May 2018

NEWSLINK, UK: Five times big cats have been seen in Gloucestershire in the past year

More daylight big cat sightings were reported in 2017 – and they were nearer human habitation a Gloucestershire big cat tracker has said.


Frank Tunbridge, who records suspected sightings across Gloucestershire and beyond, believes they are getting more used to people.

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Monday 28 May 2018

NEWSLINK: Tigress carcass dumped overnight in toilet of forest range office in Almora

MalayanTiger.jpgThe carcass of a tigress dumped overnight Sunday in a toilet of the forest range office in Dabra in Uttarakhand’s Almora forest division before a post-mortem was conducted Monday afternoon has sparked a row with wildlife activists criticizing the act of carelessness.


Wildlife activists have also demanded immediate action by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) that is spending billions of rupees for the protection of big cats. They are also sore that there is no designated place to keep carcasses of tigers until they are disposed off.

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NEWSLINK: Satkosia Reserve To Get Tiger From MP In June

Panthera tigris sumatran subspecies.jpgAfter much planning and negotiations, Odisha will start getting the tigers from Madhya Pradesh (MP) for the Satkosia Tiger Reserve starting June.


Forest and Environment Minister, Bijayshree Routray on Monday informed that it is for the first time that tiger relocation is being done in the state.


“Initially one tiger will be relocated from Madhya Pradesh in June and subsequently remaining tigers would be released in Satkosia,” said Routray after the performance review meeting of the Forest and Environment department chaired by CM Naveen Patnaik.

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Sunday 27 May 2018

VIDEO: Watch a Family Decide to Explore the Cheetah Enclosure

Kids want to be close to animals. Zookeepers know this, which is why they put up signs and walls to keep little humans and predators apart. Even so, sometimes nature and family collide. A rather remarkable video of such an event just surfaced. In it, a family exits a vehicle inside a wildlife park in Hollard to take pictures of big cats. Several cheetahs, seeing this, immediately go into hunt mode. No one dies, but it’s a narrow miss.

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PHOTOS: Bengali tigers in Rawalpindi zoo welcome three cubs

Three two-month old tiger cubs melted hearts of zoo-goers with their first public appearance since their birth.


Over joyed and awestruck by the cubs, a large number of children came to see the Bengali tiger cubs.


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Thursday 24 May 2018

NEWSLINK: Zion's big cat pride set for a public revival

Panthera tigris amoyensis.jpgA troubled big cat park in Northland has been closed to the public for years, with its population of lions and tigers in decline. Harrison Christian goes inside Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary as it gears up for a re-opening, which the park's founder claims he'll fight to stop.


The bad headlines came lightly at first, then thick and fast. Financial trouble; domestic violence; alleged mistreatment of animals. Craig "the Lion Man" Busch collected dozens of lions and tigers at a facility in Northland before he left the country – and the cats – to start again in South Africa.

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NEWSLINK: Uttarakhand wildlife activists want strategy to protect sub-adult tigers

Tigerramki.jpgOf the five tigers that died in Uttarakhand this year, three were sub-adults in the age group of 2-3 years, prompting wildlife activists to pitch for a strategy for the conservation of young big cats.


A sub-adult big cat died at the Corbett Tiger Reserve in January, another in Terai region, and the latest death was reported from the Haridwar forest division.

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Wednesday 23 May 2018

NEWSLINK: Tiger 'mauls to death' keeper at wildlife park in China accused of disturbing trade in tiger bone wine

Male Tiger Ranthambhore.jpgA tiger reportedly mauled its keeper to death at a Chinese wildlife park which has previously been accused of involvement in a disturbing trade in tiger bone wine.

The 50-year-old man was attacked by the big cat while cleaning the tiger enclosure at the Xiongsen Bear and Tiger Mountain Village in Guangxi Province, the Nanguo Morning Post reported. The animal is thought to have run into the cage after a colleague of the man stepped outside.
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NEWSLINK: In Rare Incident, Lion Single-Handedly Raises Cubs After Their Mother Dies

The rules of nature are set, and so is the role of every animal in it. In their little herds and packs, each creature plays a certain role and does so, instinctively. The father, mother, and children, all take over certain positions in their “families,” seldom rebelling against them.


However, in the savannahs of Gir-Somnath, a lion has shed its patriarchal nature after its cubs were left motherless, and has donned the role of a mother. Although Asiatic lions are one of the most social species in the cat family, lions usually never assume the role of a lioness.

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Tuesday 22 May 2018

NEWSLINK: New Outdoor Lion Exhibit Opens at Erie Zoo

A big day today at the Erie Zoo, with the opening of the new $700,000 lion exhibit.


The outdoor area is protected by thick glass that gives zoo visitors an up close look at the big cats.
Two young females that arrived at the zoo last fall were enjoying their new surroundings, and interacting with plenty of children who were at the zoo today for school outings.


The zoo's older female lion remained inside.


The exhibit was supposed to open in March, but our severe winter delayed things.
But now that it is open, managers and visitors expect it to be a big hit.

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Friday 18 May 2018

May 2018: CARL MARSHALL ON THE BIRMINGHAM "LION"

https://metro.co.uk/2018/05/17/woman-says-filmed-lion-roam-birmingham-7554322/

When the Birmingham "lion" first walks into frame its unsteady gait looks very much like a large and heavily built domestic dog, possibly a bull mastiff or a mastiff cross; and the colouration of the animal in the video also matches up very well with this powerful and popular breed.

Woman says she filmed a lion on the roam in BirminghamWhen the animal turns to the right and starts to walk parallel to the observer, its gait does become a little more feline in appearance (leading to all the confusion!) but conveniently for us, at this point in the video the animal's head and longer muzzle becomes less blurred, giving away the creature’s true identity as a Canid rather than a Felid, such as an escaped lion. 

Also, the crook in the tail is much more reminiscent of a canine's; though one must admit the crook in a lion's tail is far less pronounced than that of a leopard's or puma's and closer to the one recorded in this video. However, if I had to bet my own money identifying the animal in this blurry footage, I would say it was most likely a large domestic dog, maybe a bull mastiff; as I see many more canine features in the video as opposed to feline ones. 

I personally believe there are probably at least three species of non-native "big cats" living wild in the British countryside, in limited, yet viable numbers. However, this video and many other urban reports on file of alleged lion-coloured big cats, are actually nothing more than honest misidentifications of this large and powerful dog breed. 

Carl.

Tuesday 15 May 2018

CARL WRITES: 13/4/18 - Ilfracome, Devon and 12/4/18 - Totnes, Devon

Ilfracombe sighting
Carl: "The Ilfracombe sighting reported to the North Devon Gazette by Bex Fitch and her children on The Torrs could well be a valid report of what might have been a genuine big cat. Unfortunately, simply being described as a "large dark cat" does not help us to identify this animal to a specific level. However, the basic anatomy described by the witnesses could indicate a medium to large sized Felid of unknown species, this along with the fact the mystery animal was viewed for a full five to seven minutes would seen to limit the possibility of misidentification on the part of Miss Fitch and her family. On a relatively light spring evening five to seven minutes would likely be more than enough time to spot some canine features at close range should they have simply witnessed an escaped or feral domestic dog! To me this report sounds genuine enough!"

Totnes attack
Carl: "If i had to bet money as to the identity of the animal responsible for the attack on the unfortunate ewe near Churchstow and photographed for the Totnes Times, I would say it was likely the work of a large domestic dog with very powerful jaw muscles such as a German shepherd or possibly even one of the bull breeds. The fact there was only one deep injury located on the hind quarters of the sheep does indicate canine activity, and more than likely has nothing whatsoever to do with the local eyewitness reports such as the one described by Mr Turner in the South Hams. If a large cat had dragged down a sheep and started eating its hind area (which they often do!) the sheep would have very likely been killed beforehand. Domestic dogs usually chase down one or more sheep by biting at any area that comes into close range of their primary weapon - the teeth and jaws! This usually means grabbing the unfortunate sheep by its hind limbs and dragging it down, however a very powerful dog would likely be fully capable of snatching a sheep by its flesh and connective tissues and tearing a chunk away after several violent tugs. The fact there were no other injures present such as deep slashes caused by teeth and claws around the head, neck, and shoulders strongly indicates a single dog worrying incident."

Sunday 13 May 2018

VIDEO: Tigress Cares for Four Newborn Cubs

Tiger-zoologie.de0001 22.JPGFour tiger cubs - three males and a female - were born in the Crimean safari park "Taigan," the biggest one in Europe.

A 10-year-old Amur tigress named Vasilisa gave birth to the little tigers. Safari park "Taigan" is the largest breeding ground for different species of lions, tigers and other big cats. It is located in the Crimean Peninsula near Lake Taigan.


The Amur tiger is one of the world's rarest predators and is on the endangered species list. Tigers live in a protected area in the southeast of Russia, along the banks of the Amur and Ussuri Rivers.


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PHOTOS: Horror as lion pounces on Brit and drags him by neck into bush

Mike Hodge was attacked by the big cat at the Makarele Predator Centre in Thabazimbi, South Africa, seconds after going into its enclosure.


Mr Hodge, who emigrated from the UK with his wife Chrissy in 2003, is now in hospital receiving treatment for neck and jaw injuries.


Shocking footage of the incident shows the lion chasing Mr Hodge after he enters the enclosure and then dragging him towards some bushes.


Onlookers can be heard screaming for help while the animal mauls 67-year-old Mr Hodge who does not appear to be moving.


The lion drags him further into the bushes but then gunshots ring out and the lion moves away.

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Wednesday 9 May 2018

PHOTOS, UK: Did 'big cat' attack sheep?

Three members of the same farming family are convinced they have seen a big cat in the South Hams – and wondered if it was connected to a recent attack on a sheep.


Howard Turner contacted us after seeing our online story earlier this week about a ewe that was attacked, near Churchstow, saying his wife, brother and late mother all saw what they are adamant was a big cat in the area.


The ewe, which had recently given birth to a lamb, was badly bitten around her hindquarters on Sunday in what was suspected to be a dog attack.


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SIGHTING, UK: Family convinced by Ilfracombe big cat sighting

On Wednesday Bex Fitch and her children CJ, 11, and Phoebe, six, had been enjoying an Easter holiday outing, visiting the beach and then driving up the Torrs as it was a nice evening.


As they pulled into the lay-by at Torrs, the family dog starting making ‘funny noises’ and staring intently out of the window.


They were amazed at what happened next, as a large dark cat streaked across the field in full view.

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Tuesday 8 May 2018

NEWSLINK: Madhya Pradesh set to regain ‘Tiger State’ status

Madhya Pradesh is all set to regain the status of ‘Tiger State’ with the increasing population of tigers in the state. It is the outcome of continuous efforts that a continuous rise has been registered in tigers’ population. Besides this, the state is also ensuring its contribution in increasing population in the country and it will provide three couples of tigers at Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary in Odissa.The situation also leads to increasing number of territorial conflicts between tigers. The state took new initiatives of tigers’ translocation to new habitats. The state already set an example in the world with its successful tigers’ rehabilitation project at Panna Tiger Reserve. Now the reserve has population of 30-tigers.


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ARTICLE/PHOTOS: Machli: An extraordinary life of a tigress in the wild

After tracking Ranthambore’s famous matriarch for nine of her eventful 19 years, wildlife filmmaker S Nallamuthu explains his final shots of Machli’s death in markedly unsentimental terms. “The idea was to make sure the shots were taken properly. I couldn’t be sure just when she had passed away,” he says.

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Sunday 6 May 2018

NEWSLINK: In search of elusive high-altitude tigers, India, Nepal and Bhutan fall back upon camera traps

Panthera tigris sumatrae in captivity 01.JPGCamera trapping is likely to be used by next year to look out for tiger habitats at an altitude above 10,000 feet in India, Nepal, and Bhutan, experts associated with the project said.


The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will conduct the project in the three countries, with the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) and Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) playing a crucial role in synchronising the programme. To start with, experts will do the homework based on facts available this year.

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NEWSLINK: Amur Leopard Population Triples — to 103

Amur Leopard Panthera pardus orientalis Facing Forward 1761px.jpgJust a few years ago, the Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) appeared to be on the fast track to extinction. Surveys conducted in 2000 revealed that only about 30 of these critically endangered big cats remained in the forests of southwestern Russia, with just two more across the border in China. With poaching and habitat loss still so rampant at the time, saving the species appeared to be a “mission impossible,” says ecologist Yury Darman, senior advisor to WWF-Russia’s Amur branch.

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NEWSLINK: ‘Bagheera’ Spotted in Chhattisgarh After 24 Years!

Flickr - Rainbirder - Sassy Lassy.jpgWalking through a dense forest is like solving mysteries without knowing what you are looking for. Whether it is the forests of Nainital, the royal jungles of Ranthambhore, or the thick woods of Dandeli, you always just experience a small fraction of what it has to offer.


However, even when you see a few birds and maybe a herd of spotted deer, you should know that the animals in the forest have most likely seen you from afar.


One animal that has always fascinated me is the leopard. This nocturnal big cat is usually shy, and hardly ever makes itself visible.


Its brown colour and black spots make for the perfect camouflage in dense jungles. If you are enjoying a safari, chances are that a leopard has already seen you and is hiding from plain sight. This nature of a leopard makes it an especially difficult animal to spot.

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Thursday 3 May 2018

PHOTOS: Giant otters face down jaguar trespassing in their territory near Brazilian river

Jaguar Amneville.JPGAs one of Brazil’s apex predators there’s little that can give a jaguar paws for thought - except as it turns out, giant otters.


Researchers travelling by boat in the Pantanal tropical wetlands captured this hilarious video showing the interactions between the big cats and the otters living along the São Lourenço River.
It shows a young jaguar who has strayed near the otters’ favourite feeding spot and a den full of young pups, resulting in a whole group ganging up to scare her away.


In a blog post on the encounter, Ailton Lara, Director at Pantanal Nature, explains Ague, a 3-year-old female, chose to to sit in the wrong spot to take in the river view.

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UK NEWSLINK: These are the bizarre wild animal sightings reported in Cornwall

Cornwall is known for its wildlife, its diverse range of native bird species, its colonies of seals, its herds of deer and our wild ponies – but every now and then there’s a sighting reported of an animal that you really wouldn't expect to see in the coastal county.

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NEWSLINK: Forest Department To Shoot More Leopards On Camera

Himalayan Leopard.JPGIn a bid to explain how the big cats reach heavily populated areas in the city, officials have started a camera trapping exercise on the eastern and western peripheries of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, like the ongoing study at Aarey Colony


Following the success of leopard monitoring at Aarey Milk Colony, the Thane Forest (Territorial) department are starting a similar study on the eastern and western peripheries of the SGNP as well. Thanks to the continues monitoring of leopard activity at Aarey, the Forest Department was able to capture a leopard responsible for man-animal conflict last year.

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