Research and How It Currently Stands

 

I first began work on the Fox and feral cats project in 1977, the same year that I began looking into reports of non native cat species which led to the Exotic Animals Register (EAR).

 

Since that time I have invested thousands of pounds because, as a naturalist, there were no funds available. Funds tend to be reserved for university associated zoologists (who don’t have to worry about paying the bills and research –most have well paid jobs anyway). Like many naturalists before me I suffered the indignity of the professionals using my data without credit. Naturalists working out in the field and conducting studies is how the professionals have always gotten their base data anyway; that is how things work. Being labelled a “noted naturalist” has negative financial reward.

 

I made a number of discoveries pertaining to the history of the fox in the UK as well as “non native” canids introduced here. The results of the work up until 2011 were published in The Red Paper: Canids. This work also led to looking into “The Girt Dog of Ennerdale” –an alleged “cryptozoological mystery” from 1810. Much archive research resulted in a short paper on the subject The Girt Dog of Ennerdale. News items from the early 1800s led to research on “The Beast of Gevaudan” (France) and from there other “Beast” cases and the research revealed some interesting facts noted in Strange and Mysterious Beasts.

 

Oddly, thanks to information passed along to me it is also possible that I have identified a formerly unknown squid species.

 

The EAR became the public face of my work as from 1977-2013 (and occasionally still) I became an exotic animals consultant to UK police forces and began getting results that were not acceptable to the Department of Environment Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) who made sure that, despite objections from the chief constables of two police forces, I was no longer on the list of experts (Partners Against Wildlife Crime).

 

The amount of evidence, from the scientific investigation of teeth markings on carcasses, teeth measurements taken from horses and other animals attacked, the kills themselves as well as tracks and DNA, is such that it proves non native cats are in the UK and have been in some cases going back to the 19^th century.  Because of DEFRAs kill policy as well as illegal hunt groups (my life has been threatened several times) the locations of known cat and other animals territories has remained a closely guarded secret. I have the affidavits proving that “exotics” have been trapped and then killed as well as statements from farmers who were visited by men in white vans to remove suspected big cat kills on ‘my’ behalf –needless-to-say this had nothing to do with me and it was confirmed (in error) that these pick-ups were organised by DEFRA.

 

Habitat, found sources and much more have been studied over the years and it gives a complete picture of what is going on. I have spoken to a good few sources who protect non native cats on estates, etc, as they are “tremendous vermin controllers” –squirrels, rabbits, etc. also “Since the cat has been in the area the deer herd is much stronger and we don’t see much disease or weakened animals as before”.

 

This research also led to two discoveries: the first is the “Hooper cat”; I received a message from a police officer in Fife to the effect that there had been “another Hooper Cat sighting” which puzzled me. I then discovered that certain Police Wildlife Officers (PWLOs) had termed tall black cats with that name as they had no idea what to call them. Other reports reached me from non-police sources all describing whippet dog sized black cats that were not black leopards or melanistic pumas. My preliminary paper on these cats will be published this year.

 

The other discovery is very significant. Initially I had wondered whether the “Hooper Cats” were melanistic individuals from other cat species but though possible in some cases (in fact it seems likely) it was ruled out but on cross-checking UK reports I realised that there may have been a major blunder. Certain reports that had been classed as “black leopard” or “black/regular puma” over the decades may in fact be of another cat type. In fact a preliminary mapping study indicates that I may be correct which would be a major breakthrough.

 

And more is being discovered about the history of foxes in the UK that has a bearing on foxes today.

 

Here is where the problem starts. Finance. I have an aging PC that constantly breaks down and in this day and age a computer is a necessity (though I always keep hard copies of data) –as is a scanner and, although I have invested in three such items trail cams are required for field work. There are other things that need to be paid for to continue the projects and there are no grants available or universities and colleges willing to accepts the project as part of its structure.

 

Funding is needed and I had hoped that The Red Paper might have sold copies to bring in revenue but interest in it is zero at best.

At the top right you will find a PayPal Me donation box, although I would sooner people buy a book to support the ongoing work so they have something tangible for their money, there is that option IF you want to donate.

 

As it stands 2021 is going to be a year where most everything stops because I am plain run out financially.

 

That’s it. Thank you for reading this post.

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202 Pages

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maps, illustrations and photographs

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The Red Paper: Canids Up-dated  edition includes section on sarcoptic mange in foxes and treatment plus a list of wildlife sanctuaries and rescue centres in the UK.

By the 1700s the British fox was on the verge of extinction and about to follow the bear and wolf having been hunted for sport for centuries. The answer was to import thousands of foxes per year for sport. But foxes kept dying out so jackals were tried. Some were caught, some escaped. Even wolves and coyote were released for hunting.

The summation of over 30 years research reveals the damnable lie of "pest control" hunting but also reveals the cruelty the animals were subject to and how private menageries as well as travelling shows helped provide the British and Irish countryside with some incredible events.

 

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Over 200 years ago, in 1810, sheep were being killed in the Ennerdale area of Cumbria. 

The sheep were allegedly hardly eaten yet their blood had been drained and the killer responsible thwarted the efforts of organised hunts and terrified hounds. What was the “Girt Dog” of Ennerdale? 

Many theories abound from a paranormal creature called a “Mauler” to an escaped hyena , Tiger or even a Thylacine. Perhaps an unknown species of native British big cat?

 The truth of what the “Girt Dog” was lies within the original accounts of the time. Documents that modern writers appear to have never consulted. Noted British naturalist Terry Hooper-Scharf assesses the evidence.