Post by JoannaL on Oct 12, 2019 17:53:24 GMT -5
Big Cat Sighting in Newfoundland
Because he had no tangible proof, Charlie White (above left) was inclined to keep the sighting of the big cat to himself. But because his friend, Wayne Alexander (right), was in the vehicle with him and also had seen a large, black, cougar-like cat cross the Hansen Highway in front of them, he decided to go public and he’s happy he did.
Since the sighting on Tuesday, September 10, around 6 p.m., White has learned of 20 other alleged sightings of black or tan cougar-like cats in this part of Newfoundland. “Most of those people felt it was taboo to talk about,” he said.
Now he has posted a YouTube video on Facebook, featuring himself and Alexander discussing their experience concerning their experience at the location where they saw the animal and people are contacting him to share their big cat sightings
One sighting was within 24 hours of his and Alexander’s experience. A young boy told his grandfather a large black cat was outside their home. White was told the grandfather went to the window and caught a glimpse of the animal going into the woods.
White is concerned the cat he and his friend spotted was just a little more than a third-of-a-mile northeast of the Ned’s Pond walking trail. “I’m not trying to frighten people walking on that trail, but people should be aware there is something out there,” he continued.
White thinks the cat was a cougar despite the fact it was solid black. He has heard of large cat sightings dating to 1969, from Logger School Road to the north to Bay St. George South. If they’ve been around since 69, he surmises they have developed a trait or gene that turned them black in order to adjust to the cold climate.
A request was made to the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources for an interview on the topic, however, the department claimed no one was available. Nevertheless, in an email, the department confirmed it has received four reports related to the possible sighting of a large black cat-like creature from various locations along Newfoundland’s western coast since June. Since 1960, there have been around 100 reports of possible large cat-like wildlife sightings in various locations throughout the province.
Investigators have never confirmed the presence of a big cat and no evidence of a large feline-type animal or scat samples have been found. However, there has been evidence, including photographs and hair samples collected during investigations, that suggest some of the animals in question were lynx or domestic cats.
In the meantime, residents are encouraged to report any unusual wildlife sightings to their local Forestry and Wildlife district office.
Source: Frank Gale, The Western Star, September 27, 2019.