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More 'big cats and boars in wild' More 'big cats and boars in wild'
(about 7 hours later)
Wild and exotic animals are becoming an increasingly common sight roaming free across the UK, a new report says. Exotic animals roaming free are becoming an increasingly common sight in the UK and its waters, a study says.
The Beastwatch UK survey recorded 5,931 apparent sightings of big cats, 332 of wild boars and 3,389 of sharks since 2000 - with figures expected to rise.The Beastwatch UK survey recorded 5,931 apparent sightings of big cats, 332 of wild boars and 3,389 of sharks since 2000 - with figures expected to rise.
The 10,000 sightings include a penguin, three pandas and 51 wallabies, while a chinchilla was found in a post box.The 10,000 sightings include a penguin, three pandas and 51 wallabies, while a chinchilla was found in a post box.
Climate change, zoo thefts and escaped animals are thought to have contributed to the rise.Climate change, zoo thefts and escaped animals are thought to have contributed to the rise.
Once on the loose, it seems the south west of England is popular among big cats, with Devon, Cornwall and Somerset among the top 10 counties for sightings.Once on the loose, it seems the south west of England is popular among big cats, with Devon, Cornwall and Somerset among the top 10 counties for sightings.
'Swimming deer''Swimming deer'
In Kent and East Sussex, more than 100 wild boars were spotted, and in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire wallabies were apparently spotted on 30 occasions.In Kent and East Sussex, more than 100 wild boars were spotted, and in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire wallabies were apparently spotted on 30 occasions.
Racoons seem to head for Leicestershire and Oban in Scotland is home to several monkeys, the survey says.Racoons seem to head for Leicestershire and Oban in Scotland is home to several monkeys, the survey says.
However, it is not just the sightings that have been startling observers, but their behaviour too.However, it is not just the sightings that have been startling observers, but their behaviour too.
ANIMAL SIGHTINGS 5,931 big cats3,389 sharks332 wild boars51 wallabies43 snakes13 dangerous spiders13 racoons10 crocodiles7 wolves4 eagles3 pandas2 scorpions1 penguin Welcome to the jungleANIMAL SIGHTINGS 5,931 big cats3,389 sharks332 wild boars51 wallabies43 snakes13 dangerous spiders13 racoons10 crocodiles7 wolves4 eagles3 pandas2 scorpions1 penguin Welcome to the jungle
Last year, a deer was seen swimming a mile and a half across a busy shipping lane in Hampshire, apparently looking for a new home.Last year, a deer was seen swimming a mile and a half across a busy shipping lane in Hampshire, apparently looking for a new home.
And earlier this month, a family of squirrels cut the power in 10,380 homes in Exeter after shorting a power cable.And earlier this month, a family of squirrels cut the power in 10,380 homes in Exeter after shorting a power cable.
Chris Mullins, founder of Beastwatch UK, said: "It is clear that the UK contains far more exotic wild animals than the British public could ever imagine."Chris Mullins, founder of Beastwatch UK, said: "It is clear that the UK contains far more exotic wild animals than the British public could ever imagine."
He said since the organisation started in 2000, the number of reports had increased at a rapid rate, ranging from monkeys being stolen from zoos to the more unusual such as a piranha in the River Thames.He said since the organisation started in 2000, the number of reports had increased at a rapid rate, ranging from monkeys being stolen from zoos to the more unusual such as a piranha in the River Thames.
The British Big Cat Society also reported an increase in big cat sightings in recent years, with 2004/5 figures 3.5% up on the previous year.The British Big Cat Society also reported an increase in big cat sightings in recent years, with 2004/5 figures 3.5% up on the previous year.