10:22am Thursday 3rd July 2008
The big cat pictured at Rosedale Abbey
NEW reports of the sighting of a panther in Ryedale spell danger for the district, a leading farmer and local expert on the creature believes.
The latest sighting was pictured by camper Joyce Hannam at Rosedale Abbey recently and Ken Harrison, farmer and agricultural journalist of Hovingham, says he is in no doubt that there are probably several of the animals roaming Ryedale’s countryside.
They not only kill lambs but pose a real threat to domestic pets and even small children, said Mr Harrison, who has details of more than 50 sightings of the giant member of the feline family which he has collated in recent years.
Mr Harrison believes the latest sighting was the same one he saw two years ago at Scackleton, near Hovingham which, when he researched its appearance, he discovered was a Florida Bog Panther whose natural home is in the Everglades.
He is convinced the most recent sighting was of the same animal he himself saw a decade ago.
The panther-type animals live in cornfields at this time of the year, so are not frequently seen until after harvest time. “I have seen three different panthers over the years,” said Mr Harrison.
While most of the sightings are of a black animal, there are others which are grey and light-coloured.
He said about two years ago one was found dead on the moors at Fylingdales but it was thought to have been quickly gathered up and disposed of by RAF Fylingdales staff.
Mr Harrison said there had been evidence that the panther was breeding in Ryedale, adding that one has been seen with a cub in the past.
“I am fascinated by them,” admitted Mr Harrison, whose knowledge of sightings has been sought by commentators and the media worldwide.
“They are a real menace because I am sure they do kill lambs, especially when their teeth start to fall out through age and they are looking for easy prey.”
Domestic pets and even children could also be at risk of attack by such an animal.
“I haven’t heard of anyone being attacked in this part of the world though,” said Mr Harrison.
The origins of the panther in Ryedale could go back as far as the 1940s when they may have been brought into England by American commandos who used the panther as their mascot.
The Rosedale sighting was particularly significant, said Mr Harrison, because it is thought to be the first time one has actually been photographed in Ryedale.
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