Big cat may be responsible for sheep carcass in Derbyshire field …

The state of a sheep carcass found in a field near Carsington suggests the animal was killed by a big cat, according to expert Rick Minter.^[1] Rick, from the Big Cat Conversations podcast, said that feedback from the photographer and the photographic evidence indicated the carcass was very fresh and "clinically consumed" - not messy and torn which happens when dogs and foxes are involved in sheep impacts.

WARNING: This story contains a graphic image which some readers may find distressing

A man, who did not wish to be named, was travelling between Pikehall and Carsington^[2] when he spotted the remains of the dead sheep in a field and got out of his vehicle to have a look. He said: "I am quite interested in the idea that there are big cats roaming the countryside and certainly there have been sightings near where I live in the Birmingham area.

"I often come up to Derbyshire with my work and always keep an eye out for anything unusual along the country lanes. I had a good look around and I couldn't believe how fresh the carcass was - possibly only being the killed the night before.

"I saw an elderly farmer, who told me that over the years he had seen a large black cat and a large brown cat roaming in the area and that he had heard many stories of big cats in the area.

POLL: What's the best thing to do in Derbyshire on a rainy day?^[3]

"I am familiar with Rick Minter's podcasts and so I let him know what I had seen and sent him footage and photos of the carcass. He seems to think a big cat is definitely responsible and I think I have to agree with him."

Rick said that he had seen similar photographs of a sheep carcass in Cumbria and one in North Scotland in the past few days and both farmers had reported seeing large cats recently.

WARNING: This story contains a graphic image which some readers may find distressing

He said: "Birds like crows and buzzards move in as early scavengers, but there don’t appear signs of feathers or bird poo around the Carsington, further indicating how fresh this appears to be.

"There is a large amount of consumption, suggesting one very large individual predator has consumed it (perhaps a large male) or two individuals. Some rib ends are sheared, suggesting the work of razor like carnassial teeth, the bones are rasped, from a rough tongue action, and the fleece is neatly peeled back and kept intact, which requires much strength to do.

"A shoulder area is torn away and there are sharp facial injuries. There may be a sign of a muzzle hold, which is one way a cat can suffocate its prey. The informant also reported stomach and intestines away from the main carcass – cats are strict carnivores and cannot eat a herbivore’s stomach, so they leave this or nudge it away.

"This all suggests the involvement of one or more large cats, such as the black leopard like cats described by witnesses, or the tan coloured pumas."

Rick said that the evidence is that these cats "show all the signs of being experienced and stealthy wild predators in some parts of our landscape". He added: "Thankfully sheep impacts from suspected big cats are rarer that deer impacts, so the cats seem to be prefer deer, which are abundant and in need of culling across Britain.

"It’s helpful that the finder of this carcass reported it to a local farmer. I find many farmers are pretty understanding and recognise occasional impacts from a big cat on their sheep and don’t make a fuss. They realise it’s a rare event and also appreciate a big cat’s ecosystem benefits as a top predator. But if certain farmers experience too many sheep losses that appear to be big cat-related, I hope in the future we can arrange a compensation system for them."

The podcast host^[4] used to work for a government agency concerned with managing the countryside. He worked alongside community groups, farmers, foresters, scientists and other specialists. During this time he had a chance encounter with a big cat.

Now, many years later he has met over a thousand witnesses and he networks with many people who have experience in this subject. He writes about Britain’s big cats and gives talks and briefings on the topic.

In March this year, Derbyshire Live reported that a big cat has been spotted in a Derbyshire field. Wendy Burns and her friend Sarah Dawson clocked the eerie silhouette lurking in the grassland behind their house in Alton, Chesterfield^[5], here they were staying. Other big cats sightings have been reported in Derbyshire before.

Another recent one was in October 2022, when a hiker filmed what he thought was a panther feeding on a sheep carcass in the Peak District countryside.^[6]

European wildcats are known to live in the Scottish Highlands, but they are the only species of big cat confirmed wild in the UK.^[7] Some are adamant that a small population of big cats does exist in remote areas, but sceptics often scowl at potential sightings and believe they are hoaxes.

In the past fifteen years there have been at least twelve reported sightings of big cats to authorities. We've covered many more in the county on Derbyshire Live, with stories from the weird to the wonderful.^[8][9][10]

References

1. ^{^} Rick Minter. (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Carsington (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
3. ^{^} What's the best thing to do in Derbyshire on a rainy day? (xd.wayin.com)
4. ^{^} podcast host (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
5. ^{^} Alton, Chesterfield (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
6. ^{^} hiker filmed what he thought was a panther feeding on a sheep carcass in the Peak District countryside. (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
7. ^{^} only species of big cat confirmed wild in the UK. (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
8. ^{^} at least twelve reported sightings of big cats to authorities. (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
9. ^{^} many more in the county on Derbyshire Live, (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
10. ^{^} weird to the wonderful. (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)