Canadian lynx: Did big cats roam Britain?

There are claims that big cats used to roam the UK after Canadian lynx remains found in museum

By Nicole Hamer |

12:15 26 April 2013

There are often many tales about creatures and animals that once existed, but following the remains of a Canadian lynxbeing found at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, there are claims that big cats used to preside in Britain.

It is reported that the animal, called a Canadian lynx by scientists, is thought to have been released or escaped into the wild in the 1900s before being shot dead.

There are suggestions that the lynx may have resided in the Devonshire area of the UK.

It is unknown as to how the Canadian lynx would have found itself on British shores.

The lynx is double the size of an average domestic cat. Supposedly it would have mainly been active at night, although it may have been about during the day too.

Apparently its diet would have included animals such as rodents and birds, among other things – including larger animals.

There are links being made by some to the ‘Beast of Bodmin’.

“This Edwardian feral lynx provides concrete evidence that although rare, exotic felids (cats) have occasionally been part of British fauna for more than a century,” Doctor Ross Barnett, of Durham University, said.

“The animal remains are significant in representing the first historic big cat from Britain.”

Other people may doubt that big cats lived in the UK however. Some may believe that certain claims have not been proven.

The animal is viewable at the Bristol Museum.