Professor Robin Allaby found proof of their DNA in the wild after analysing a sample taken from a dead sheep in the Lake District in October 2023 which matched that of a non-native large feline
Hundreds of big cats could be prowling the British countryside, according to boffins.
Professor Robin Allaby found proof of their DNA in the wild after analysing a sample taken from a dead sheep in the Lake District in October 2023. They matched the DNA to a non-native large feline – meaning it had to have come from a lion, leopard, tiger, jaguar or snow leopard.
The scientist previously claimed that “a minimum viable population needs to be probably something over 50-100 individuals.”
But he has now said that there would need to be hundreds of the beasts roaming the countryside in order for them to survive.
Prof Allaby, from Warwick University, who specialises in Life Sciences, said: “As a broad brushstroke a viable population would have to be something over 100 individuals.”
hat more evidence was needed.
He said: “I would emphasize that no one really knows if there is a viable population of big cats in Britain.
“So while I would not say that I believe there are 100 or more panthers out there it would be more accurate to say if there is a population that is viable then it would have to be that big. At least.
“Of course the alternative is that if there are panthers in the UK but they are not a viable population then they must represent recent releases.
“Hopefully genetic evidence, if it comes, will be able to decide between the two possibilities.”
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