You probably didnt know this, but big cats, Pumas, Cougars or Jaguars are believed to roam the Australian bush by many.
Reports have been made since the 1940s and have been steadily increasing. This increase is either due to population expansion, increased technology, increased breeding or an increase in nut cases, depending on where you stand.
Australian Government Authorites discount all sightings as large feral cats. There is widespread belief that acknowledging the existance of these animals in the Australian bush is a political issue, especially within the various State goverment environmental egancies. These department are afraid of losing face after decades of denial.
Most people believe these big cats eithe rescaped from circuses in the 1930s-1950s or were mascots released by US servicemen during the second world war.
The quality of video and photographic evidence has improved greatly in the last 20 years. Those of us who have seen the video footage are in no doubt they do exist.
Sightings have been reported by school children, policemen, farmers and everyone inbetween. Sceptics always claim the photographs are doctored. DNA testing of the black cat hanging below, was "inconclusive". It was said to be just a large feral cat.
It would seem that until a live one is presented to the zoo for identification, these big cats will remain a myth.
We have no native big carnivores here. The largest is the Dingo, the size of a domestic dog. NO native animal could leave prints like these, hang a kangaroo in a tree, strip a sheep like this, or kill a horse like this. Most sightings are in rocky areas with plenty of caves. There are dozens of other photos around the place.
It is entirely plausable that big cats did escape from circuses in the old days or were released by US servicemen and have since bred up in the bush.
I present this selection of photographs for your judgement. I would be interested in your comments.