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| More 'big cats and boars in wild' | More 'big cats and boars in wild' |
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| Exotic animals roaming free are becoming an increasingly common sight in the UK and its waters, a study says. | Exotic animals roaming free are becoming an increasingly common sight in the UK and its waters, a study says. |
| The 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 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, two red pandas and 51 wallabies. | |
| Climate change, zoo thefts and escapes are thought to have contributed to the rise, said the study compiled by Disney along with animal groups. | Climate change, zoo thefts and escapes are thought to have contributed to the rise, said the study compiled by Disney along with animal groups. |
| The British Big Cat Society, Beastwatch UK, The Wild Boar Society and the Marine Conservation Society all contributed to the survey. | The British Big Cat Society, Beastwatch UK, The Wild Boar Society and the Marine Conservation Society all contributed to the survey. |
| 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. |
| In Kent and East Sussex, there were more than 100 wild boar sightings, 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 eagles2 red 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 and a chinchilla found in a post box. | 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 and a chinchilla found in a post box. |
| 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. |