"THERE are big cats around - we have to learn to live with them".
This was one farmers informal comment at the big cats talk in North Nibley, hosted by Treecreeper Arborists.
Many people who claim to have seen a big cat only did so after being alerted by their dog or horse.
Reports are usually made with great conviction.
People are adamant they have not mis-sighted a dog.
They often report a long, thick and flowing tail, and they often notice the distinct cat-like fluid movement.
One of the consistencies in the reports is that the cats are seen emerging from dense bramble scrub, and sometimes from old quarry openings.
These are exactly the kinds of lay-up spots they would use in their territories.
In the present summer conditions, a big cat would be drawn to remaining water sources in the landscape, and would see the new generation of fawns as a target for prey.
Indeed, two recent reports have involved a black panther seen at a spring line, and one group of witnesses reported seeing a panther
stalking a mother roe deer with her fawn in the Stroud valleys.
The packed meeting at North Nibley heard about big cat evidence from Rick Minter, as well as experienced tracker Frank Tunbridge.
Dr Andrew Hemmings of the Royal Agricultural University was also present, and explained how tooth marks on bones of suspected prey can indicate a big cat - this is one strand of the work underway at Cirencester.
There is an exciting situation where local communities are helping in the search for evidence in Gloucestershire, backed up by an academic body - local people are best placed to point to possible signs of these elusive animals.
Only one person in the meeting remained sceptical of local big cats after hearing the evidence.
The consensus of the meeting was to study big cats in a careful and responsible way.
This is now happening in Gloucestershire with the help of the Royal Agricultural University.
So we can indeed learn about these unofficial animals, as the local farmer suggested.
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