Mystery Cats of the Northern Wilderness [New 2025 Cryptozoology Document...

The Red Paper 2022 Volume I: Foxes, Jackals, Wolves, Coyotes and Wild Dogs of the United Kingdom and Ireland

 

361 pp

Paperback

Interior Color & Black and white

Dimensions A4 (8.27 x 11.69 in / 210 x 297 mm

£25.00

https://www.lulu.com/shop/terry-hooper/the-red-paper-2022-volume-1-canids/paperback/product-r97ywj.html?

 When the Doggerland bridge flooded the British Isles became separated from

Continental Europe and its wildlife developed uniquely. The British Isles, for the purpose of this work includes Ireland, and isolated the wolves on both became what would be island species not affected by the usual island dwarfism. These wolves, after millennia. Became “unwanted” and forests and woodland was burnt down or cut down for the specific purpose of lupicide; the killing of every and any wolf –and there was a bounty for “a job well done”.

At the same time there also developed three unique island species of Old fox from the coyote-like Mountain or Greyhound fox, the slightly smaller but robustly built Mastiff or Bulldog fox and the smaller Common or Cur fox –the latter like today’s red foxes had a symbiotic relationship with humans.

These canids were mainly ignored until it was decided that they could provide fur and meat and those things earn money. From that point onward, especially after all other game had been killed off, the fox faced what writers over the centuries referred to as vulpicide –extermination through bounties paid, trapping or hunting and despite all the hunters noting that the Old foxes were nearing extinction they continued to hunt until by the late 1880s the Old were gone and replaced by the New –foxes imported by the thousands every year for the ‘sport’ of fox hunting and this importation also led the the UK seeing the appearance of mange (unknown before the importations).

The travelling British sportsmen went coyote, wolf and jackal hunting and on returning to England wanted to bring a taste of this to “the good old country”. Wolves, jackals and coyotes were set up in hunting territories from where they could learn the lay of the land and provide good sport later. Some hunts even attempted to cross-breed foxes, jackals and Coyotes.

Then there were the legendary –almost mythical– “beasts”; the black beast of Edale, the killer canids of Cavan and the “girt dog” of Ennerdale.

In more recent times raccoon dogs and arctic foxes have appeared in the UK; some released for ‘sport’ while others are exotic escapees long since established in the countryside.

If you thought you knew what fox hunting was about prepare to be woken up by a sharp slap to the face and the reality that, by admissions of hunts themselves, this was all about fun and sport and nothing to do with “pest control”.

The Red Paper 2022 Volume II: Wild Cats, Feral and New Native Species

 

226 pp

Paperback

Interior Color and Black and white

Dimensions  A4 (8.27 x 11.69 in / 210 x 297 mm)

https://www.lulu.com/shop/terry-hooper/the-red-paper-2022-volume-2-felids/paperback/product-n48529.html?

£25.00

In 1896 Scottish naturalists and zoologists declared that the true Scottish wild cat had become extinct by the 1860s. What we see today is nothing more than a wild tabby cat. In this work the true history and destruction of wild cats from England, Wales (where hybrids clung on into the 1940s) and Scotland is explored and after decades of research the true look of the wild cat is revealed. The "English Tiger" and "Highland Tiger" truly lived up to that name.

Dogma is finally thrown out.

There is also a look at the "New Native Cats" ranging from Asian Golden Cats, Lynx, Puma and others and the evidence leading to their being so designated.

No silly press or media stories just solid facts backed up by evidence.

The author acted as an exotic species wildlife consultant to UK police forces from 1977-2015 as well as cooperated with university projects on the subject.

Island cats as well as feral cats their lifestyles and problems mare also covered .

Fully referenced and including maps, illustrations and very rare photographs -some never before seen in print- make this a book for amateur naturalists and zoologists.

Mysterious Big Cat Sighting Sparks Curiosity in Gloucestershire

 This story -if you can call it that since there is not much to it, was published on BB here

https://dailybbnews.com/mysterious-big-cat-sighting-gloucestershire/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ0luVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHj_r_Ib6LBfJUyzGX-Uc-ZC7DfvyaT5NBFxC3ViEFNPrHJyQbnYLbT4HrU4X_aem_qjknPJ400Ri2BD5wiECTMQ

I know Gloucestershire and large cat activity there as I talked to farmers and witnesses many times from 1977-2018.  So my first thought was "about time!"  However I then saw the photos. My comments follow the published account.

A possible black panther sighting has raised concerns in Gloucestershire after a walker captured an image of a large cat-like animal.

The sighting occurred in the village of Thrupp, near Stroud, on a morning walk, and experts believe the creature could be a black panther.

The walker, who remained anonymous, encountered the animal in a wooded area. He initially thought it was a dog but soon realized it moved like a feline.

“At first, I wasn’t alarmed, thinking it was just a family pet,” he explained. “But when I noticed its movements, I quickly took a few photos and backed away.”

Frank Tunbridge, a wildlife enthusiast who has spent decades researching big cat sightings in the UK, reviewed the images and described the animal as “streamlined” with characteristics typical of a black panther.

Tunbridge noted that the long tail with a tuft, seen in the photo, is a distinctive feature of leopards. He added, “This type of cat is perfectly adapted for hunting swift prey, like deer, here in the UK.”

The sighting follows other recent reports of big cats in the British countryside. In Wales, experts have linked pumas to several sheep deaths, citing precise, non-random attacks.

Farmers in Snowdonia reported seeing large claw marks on trees, signs that a large predator might be marking its territory.

Tunbridge, 73, believes the presence of big cats in the UK can be traced back to the release of exotic animals after introducing the Dangerous Animals Act in 1976.

**************************************************

Firstly the whole 1976 Dangerous Wild Animals Act was blown out of the water in the 1990s and proven beyond any doubt to have been a minor release period of large cats. The history and explanations can all be found in my Red Paper 2022 Felids.

But what struck me here was the odd body shape and black featureless head in good lighting. As you can see below it is just a black blob.  

But the above and below images had one thing in them that sticks out like a sore thumb. Can you see it?

I

f not here is what I am talking about.

A large squarish shadow...or stand?

You decide. Me -I'm not buying any of this.

Raccoon Dog In Wales

photo National Resources Wales

Sadly for this raccoon dog its death is guaranteed. No attempt to find a wildlife park or zoo willing to take it -the authorities never have before and killing is standard. The 'fun' shooters will be out and any farmer feeling the need to kill something after foxes have declined to such a low number in Wales will also want some fun.

Note how the item uses the standard "threat" phrases. The UK is not fit for any wildlife. Oh, and if illegal to breed where are they (including porcupines, meercats and other exotics) coming from?

BBC News  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdrxy4yke81o?fbclid=IwY2xjawItdHZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHVsv1dBJxt7Qm5EQbgFmSxMMGn9eqz-DGrh3vyEZ-ihZxmnbdqFJp1c4VA_aem__b_jHzY76q3oM6uqbzLZyw

Catriona Aitken

BBC News

Published
26 February 2025

A search is under way for an "unpredictable" raccoon dog which is on the loose in north Wales.

The animal was last spotted south-east of Llyn Tegid, Gwynedd on 29 January, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said.

Raccoon dogs are considered to be invasive non-native species which can negatively affect native wildlife - it is therefore illegal to breed or sell them in the UK, external and existing raccoon dogs must be kept securely.

People are being urged not to approach the animal and to report any sightings, "dead or alive", to NRW.

Raccoon dogs roam in the wild, so it is believed the animal could be spotted more than eight miles from Llyn Tegid.

NRW added they were small, nocturnal fox sized animals, originally from East Asia which ate fruit, insects, rodents, frogs, birds.

"As with any animal, their behaviour may be unpredictable and are not to be approached," it said.

UK Big Cat Groups and the Fear of Expert Knowledge

 While responding to a post about a deer that was found dead over at Sighted Big Cats Face Book page I made the mistake of editing the post and deleting a line which, as I was still recovering from covid bout 3, I never realised removed part of the next line. 

The point I was making is how deaths in foxes caused by cars are replicated in deer and other wildlife but, fair enough, someone pointed out that the animal in the photo was a deer not a fox. So I apologised for the mistake and not making it clear that I was comparing injuries created in RTAs.

However, I then get three responses mocking my inability to identify a fox from a deer and stating that the data gathered on foxes between 1976-2025 would be unreliable and that includes all of the 80+ post mortem results.

This is something I have noted on this group in particular where in the past I have received private messages that could be designed for no other purpose than to offend.  In fact, I think I have only ever had one positive response there and it could well be because photos/videos posted of 'big cats" and tracks have been domestic cats and dog tracks. "Big cats" rather like UFOs and the paranormal are these days a fan-thing.

Back in the 1990s we had DNA, hairs and all the evidence we needed BUT it can all still be dismissed as from an 'escapee'; where it could not be dismissed was when DEFRA moved in and made its legal threats (outlined elsewhere on this blog).

When I started in 1976 to dismiss reports there were only three other naturalists I knew involved in looking into these sightings and doing field work. Sadly they have all passed on but my question is why are people so scared that they have to mock and insult someone who was doing this work before most of them were born?   

We proved former exotics have been here for a very long time in the 1990s and some of that information was presented in The Red Paper 2022 Felids.  What are the current groups trying to prove because even a dead large cat is going to prove nothing to those who dismiss reports.

A 1998 Press Item -What On Earth Is Out There?

 Reporters who get 1977 as 1997 and 1998 are not that good....and they bugger up straight forward replies you give them!

Never even spoke to the Weston and Worle New!