Sunday, April 1, 2012

Alien Black Cats

“Curiosity killed the cat, but I say…Who cares, that cat had nine lives anyways.”

For the month of April I ask you to dive into the mystic with me. What better way to explore the alphabet during the A-Z challenge than by digging out the unusual, often unexplained and alternative way of thinking. Stories of creatures, places and mysteries have been passed down to us through centuries teasing our imagination, living in our dreams and daring us to explore the impossible. The curious travel many paths in order to discover a new miracle or uncover an old one. This month I am curious, and hoping you will want to come exploring with me, because you are curious too. 




It only seems fitting that my first post for the ABC challenge be Alien Big Cats, also known as ABCs or Phantom Cats. These large cats such as panthers, jaguars and cougars are reported to be living wild in countries to which they are not native. Sightings of large cats in countries such as Great Britain have prompted many investigations and a lot of media interest.

It is believed that some sightings of large cats in the wild can be attributed to owners of exotic pets releasing them because of increasing costs and license requirements introduced by new laws such as the Dangerous Wild Animals Act of 1976 which targeted exotic pet owners in the UK. Animals that have escaped from zoos and wildlife parks could also account for some of the sightings. That would account for Great Britain but there are other countries in which large cats have been sighted. These include Australia, Denmark and New Zealand. Legends of these cats are quite widespread and it is thought that populations of exotic cats could exist in the wilds of several countries across Europe and in the United States.

Hope to see you again soon for another trip into the mystic.


All posts for the A-Z challenge, main ref: Wikipidia free encyclopidia

27 comments:

  1. Florida is getting monkied and boaed in the Everglades. Species not akin to here.

    Great Post, Siv.

    I'm doing the challenge at http://secondhandshoesnovel.blogspot.com/

    Shelly

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  2. We supposedly have a big cat around here, which no-one has ever actually seen lol! :)

    Universal Gibberish

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  3. Love Minnie's A to Z outfit! You've picked a great theme. :)

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  4. Alien big cats - there was a sighting of big black cat in our area a couple of years ago - we do have some private zoos in the locality so the rumours may have some truth in them.
    Good theme.

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  5. interesting A
    here is mine
    http://pa-ul.blogspot.com/2012/03/z-artists.html

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  6. Great post. Those cats are so beautiful it is hard to remember sometimes that they are dangerous.

    Checking in from the A to Z challenge.

    SabrinaAFish

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  7. People swear there are still panthers in Western North Carolina - but then I've heard that the Foresty Dept. won't admit to it because with them being endangered it would put a hamper on timber cultivation.

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  8. We've had an occasional Puma (Mountain Lion) sighting around here. This used to be part of their natural range, but they disappeared many decades ago. Maybe they're making a comeback.

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  9. I actually saw what I thought was a small lion once. I was on my bike with small son behind the saddle, and I pedalled off fast! It was probably a Maine Coone.
    this is me - http://lizy-expat-writer.blogspot.com

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  10. Very intriguing! I love urban legends about mystical creatures. I thought I saw a wolf once when I was living in Washington State, but they told me there are no wolves where I was. Yeah right. ;)

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  11. 'm looking forward to the mystic.

    BTW That pic gave me chills.

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  12. Awesome! Can't wait to see what's next. Any ligers? That's my favorite animal.

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  13. You're right, the UK has big cats prowling around and snapped in blurry photos. But here in Portugal we only have sharks (of the corrupt kind LOL). Nice theme for A-Z - love the mystic....

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  14. And We sent them to you, free of charge, evil laugh, Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha.
    Cool theme, Geoff.

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  15. Looking forward to traveling into the mystic and A-Zing with you!

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  16. What a great topic and start to the challenge and can't wait for your other mystical topics. :)

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  17. That's an awesome picture. It would look great on a book cover.

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  18. We have mountain lions in Iowa where they aren't supposed to be. The government says they aren't though. Whatever. They wander in from other areas.
    I have never heard the term Alien Big Cats before. I don't think I'd want to go outside at night.

    welcome to me

    yummy stuff

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  19. While I love to look at those big cats, I'm a little worried about meeting one. Although, we have trails that are regularly closed due to cougar sightings. Maybe it's only the unfamiliar that scares me. I know what to do about the cougars!

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  20. This is really interesting. I love learning about creatures from mythologies and imaginations.

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  21. great post - I didn't know about this.

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  22. I I shine most of those sightings involve released pets, which is sad.

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  23. I know the reality is probably the sad releases you talked about, but I'd like to think they were mysterious ghost kitties :-)

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  24. Oh, what a great theme! I love stories like this and am also very curious. Can't wait to read the rest of your posts.

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  25. Stopping by as part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge 2012. Interesting post. Cats are ultimate survivors. If a big cat is released, it'll figure out how to stay alive.

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  26. Hi Siv .. interesting and reminded me of 'our Tiger' ... all hell was let loose - the police were out, aircrews were called in, motorways were closed, lanes blocked off .. A Tiger was on the loose .... except it was a pet Tiger in a field - somehow it got there .. and E for Emergency was set off! Some red faces around too ... I expect Alien Black Cat was watching from the sidelines!!

    Cheers Hilary

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  27. What a great premise for the A-Z! Very cool cats....

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