North Cyprus Big Wild Cat

duddave


Joined: 24/03/2011
Posts: 1

Message Posted:
24/03/2011 09:33

So what exactly was this large solitary wild cat that I spotted in the mountains above Catalkoy yesterday morning. I can best describe it as very very much like a Cheeter, in all respects, size, slender shape, head and tail, except the colouring was possibly slightly more grey than the African Cheeter as far as I can remember?

I would very much like to hear if anybody else has seen such a wild cat in Cyprus, and what type of cat it could be. Possibly escaped or released from captivity?

ozankoymum


Joined: 10/01/2009
Posts: 359

Message Posted:
24/03/2011 10:57

A friend of mine spotted a cat last year in the mountains at Karsiyaka and she described exactly as you are. She said it was the size of a jungle cat ie: cheeter.



She ran back to her car after seeing it and couldnt stop talking about it.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
24/03/2011 11:04

I have no doubt the Hunters will murder the poor thing!!

Pugwash


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 1797

Message Posted:
24/03/2011 11:40

Or maybe the other way around?

Serkan


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 75

Message Posted:
24/03/2011 11:52

I love to believe it but there is no big cats in cyprus unless someone illigally smaggled into country then escaped.If you 100% sure perhaps you should report to KIBRIS newspaper.

ozankoys


Joined: 20/06/2008
Posts: 905

Message Posted:
24/03/2011 11:54

I think the less publicity this receives the better, as mentioned above if such a cat does exist the Cypriots would love nothing better than hunting & shooting it!

PeppaPig


Joined: 04/01/2009
Posts: 89

Message Posted:
24/03/2011 12:54

He's not hurting anyone, leave him in peace! Would love to see him though!!!

rcroton


Joined: 05/06/2008
Posts: 192

Message Posted:
24/03/2011 14:55

dont advertise the fact, let him be otherwise hunters will kill him

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
24/03/2011 15:13

Big(ger than normal) cats were imported from Egypt into Cyprus during the Lusignan rule (1192-1489). Cyprus was feared and known as "Snake island" during the Middle ages and the cats were (also) turned loose on the then completely forested (!) Mesoaria plain to keep the snake population at bay. Could they have mixed with other cats and now come back incidentally (Law of Mendel?). Other animals were also almost extinct in Cyprus (moufflons) but now seem to survive and recover in numbers (Troodos mountains). I hope someone will catch the above mentioned cat before he/she gets shot. My hope for something good in TRNC never dies...