According to a leading expert, there are numerous large felines prowling the UK. Professor Robin Allaby of Warwick University has discovered evidence of their DNA in the wild and estimates that around 100 of these creatures roam free.

His conclusion is based on an analysis of a sample taken from a sheep carcass found in the Lake District. The carcass appeared to have been torn apart in a manner inconsistent with any known local wildlife.

From the samples, he identified ‘Panthera genus’ DNA, indicating it originated from a lion, leopard, tiger, jaguar or snow leopard. Fox DNA was also present, suggesting the animal had also fed on the carcass.

Speaking to What’s The Jam, he stated: “With the evidence we have now I’m 99% sure. I always leave one per cent room for the possibility you may turn out to be wrong no matter how convincing the evidence is.”

He added: “We know the evidence we’ve seen so far is hard to fake,” addressing previous suggestions that claims of big cats in the UK could be based on falsified evidence. “It seems very likely on the balance of probabilities that on the basis of this there are panthers in the UK at the moment. Population viability analysis tells us that in general a minimum viable population needs to be probably something over 50-100 individuals.”

Professor Allaby revealed: “This summer was really quite exciting. In the news there were reports of DNA of the Panthera genus recovered from the swab of a sheep carcass in the southern Lake District.”

Sharon Larkin-Snowden’s October discovery of sheep remains in Cumbria led to an intriguing possibility. Sharon startled whatever predator was feasting on the remains, which then vanished near a stone wall, reports the Daily Star.

The sample she took from the carcass ended up with big cat specialist Rick Minter and then with Prof Allaby. He further clarified doubts around contamination by stating, “However, to be truly convincing we need to find more samples.”

“If samples show related individuals that are not related to captive zoo populations then we believe the evidence will be compelling enough to convince most people.”