About 500 years ago, Big Cats were hunted to extinction, but until 1976, in England you could legally own a Big Cat like a Lion or Tiger without a permit at your house!
It sounds crazy, but it was true. However, with the 1976 Wildlife act becoming law, you had to have a permit, proper enclosure and insurance, so as a result, many large cats from Lynx upwards were turned loose into the countryside.
40 years later and large cat sightings are still being reported, as you can see from this tree, something needs a scratching post. This was from a Puma size cat. This proves that they are breeding and surviving.
Where I live, these big cats have an ideal habitat, forests, Sheep and Deer as a food source, water and cover. We caught footage of 2 small ones on a dashboard video camera last year and a larger one walked across the road in front of a relative's car that did not have a camera, about 10 years ago.
I do not publicise where this location is as I don't want people disturbing these large cats, but many people these days are obsessed with phones and tablet computers and don't go out walking in locations like this and know the signs to look out for.
These large cats have been in the field next to where I live and had a couple of Sheep over the years, you can tell from the way they have eaten what did it, I saw the remains.
These large cats are shy of people and very rarely attack. They keep a low profile and no one minds them being there.
I have only seen the signs of where they have been so far, maybe I might be very lucky to see one for myself one day. As far as I am concerned they have as much right to be here as me.
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