QUESTIONS of the existence of big cats may be answered by the Victorian government, with a new inquiry into whether the beasts roam the region.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
An official investigation was announced recently after sightings of big cats spanning at least six decades.
University of Ballarat lecturer in history and anthropology Dr David Waldron, who has been talking with the government about the research, said the mystery of the big cats had stemmed from stock deaths in the region.
“People have been panicking over stock losses for a long time. There is also panic over the cats’ impact on endangered species and panic over feral cats getting larger,” Dr Waldron said.
“This research should resolve the matter by explaining these previously unknown causes to the deaths.”
The investigation will include submissions from the public.
Smythesdale retired builder Noel Judd started believing in big cats when he saw one in Maryborough about 20 years ago.
Since then, he’s documented footprints in the Maryborough and Smythesdale areas.
“The government will be wasting their time. I know of people that have been looking for them for 30 years tried trapping them, but have had no luck whatsoever,” Mr Judd said.
“Until they get a body of a beast and have it tested in a lab they’re wasting time.”
The study will review existing literature, reports, correspondence and other evidence for big cats, and includes liaison with community groups and individuals who have reports of possible sightings.
nicole.cairns@thecourier.com.au
![Hunt is on: A study will review evidence of big cats. Hunt is on: A study will review evidence of big cats.](/images/transform/v1/resize/frm/storypad-sDe468EzMPYJYktNpkdVJv/eb30c191-467a-4696-a3d5-fee228172f2a.jpg/w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)