SCIENCE / ZOOLOGY

List: Top Ten English Counties for Big Cat Sightings

Date: 2005

Source: The British Big Cats Society

Base: From a total of 2,123 sightings throughout the UK and Ireland between April 2004 and July 2005.

Notes: The Society believes that a third of the total sightings are hoaxes or cases of mistaken identity. About 60% of reported sightings were of panther-like black cats, 32% were brown or sandy-coloured creatures, posssibly pumas; and 6% most closely resembled lynx. In addition, Scotland had 125 sightings, Wales 123 and Ireland 17. Danny Bamping, the society's founder, said: "There are also people who insist on reporting the likes of the Pink Panther, Garfield, Top Cat and Simba."