An expert in mystery big cats has vowed that 2010 will be the
year he catches the Sheppey beast on film.

Neil Arnold, of Kent Big Cat Research, has been studying the
Island’s elusive big cat since the mid 90s.

But after spending most of last year writing and not being able
to get out to research, his new year’s resolution is to track the
cat and catch it on video.

In December we reported how Sheppey is one of the most likely
places in Kent to spot one of the creatures, was there are regular
sightings of a black leopard-like cat.

In the past, Mr Arnold, 35, has also had people contact him
after seeing a tan-coloured puma.

He said this year he plans to pinpoint an area on Sheppey to
study the cat, follow its movements and try and film it.

He is also going to go back and look through all the past
sightings from the area to try and work out a routine.

Mr Arnold said he will probably focus on Minster as that is
where most of the Island sightings come from.

He said: “I’m convinced the animal is sticking to the shoreline
where there are heavy reed beds and a lot of food.

“The cat on the Island is a creature of habit – it seems to use a
regular path and has its own territory.”

Mr Arnold said big cats are also spotted quite regularly on the
marshes, although the puma is harder to spot because it blends
in.

Mr Arnold has put together his research in a book called Mystery
Animals of Kent, which is part of a series of books called Mystery
Animals of the British Isles.

There is a whole section dedicated to the Sheppey sightings,
which includes mentions of cats spotted in Minster, Eastchurch and
Warden Bay.

A number of Island folklore creatures are also discussed
including the black dog of Shurland Hall and the Warden Bay
alligator.

• The book is available from Amazon, or from Neil Arnold on 01634830384. Mr Arnold is always keen to hear from anyone who has spotted the cat. Phone him or visit his website at http://kentbigcats.blogspot.com/

Although Mr Arnold said sightings of the cat have been quite
quiet on the Island lately, he was contacted about a new one last
month.

A security guard working at a holiday park in Minster was
driving around the area on patrol when he noticed a black animal in
the distance.

He said it was the size of a medium dog but resembled a cat and
was chasing a rabbit across the marshes.

Mr Arnold added: “Rabbits are ideal prey for a large cat.

“Two to three a day would keep a leopard very healthy for its
fifteen-year lifespan but the Island is perfect regards to prey –
there is an abundance of bird-life, rabbits, foxes and
livestock.”