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BKSir -> RE: big cats in the UK - anyone? (7/19/2009 4:00:44 PM)
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Not in the UK, but, I've had numerous encounters with the grouchier and larger feline kind over the years. Bobs and Lynx are seen a couple of times a year around the house here. Kind of bad that they come this far down the mountain and into the city, but, it's a very quiet area here with a lot of places to hide. Not exactly common, but hardly rare. Camping, more than once I've seen mountain lions a bit closer than I'd personally care for, but the one that takes the cake is still a trip I took out, everyone else was asleep and I was up futzing around, poking at the fire, making sure it was okay still. I look up and sitting not 5 meters away was a mountain lion, just on the other side of the fire, looking at me as if it were saying "Good god man, what are you doing? That's a FIRE! Get away from it!" Luckily, we both appeared to be quite happy on our sides of the fire and had no apparent interest in getting any closer to the other. Unnerving, but amazing. I know full well that if it had wanted, it could have been over the fire and I'd have been dinner before I could drop the stick I had in my hand.
That in mind, it's fairly obvious that these creatures would rather leave us alone and have us leave them alone. However, don't forget, we may see a great big fluffy kitty cat, but they see a hot lunch that delivers itself. Attacks are rare to the point of being almost unheard of, but, the key word there is "almost". They do happen, they are predators, they are dangerous, and we are slow, stupid, made of meat, and on their turf.
It sounds like an awesome undertaking you're considering, but please do be careful. :)
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