FOREST of Dean big-cat expert Danny Nineham is founding chairman of the new British Big Cat Society, which is to be launched at a Devon wildlife park this weekend.
"We already have 75 members and we are hoping for many more as the news gets around," Danny told the Review.
The core of the new organisation includes experts on big cat behaviour, zoo keepers and biologists, with a support team including a professional wildlife cameraman.
Danny said he hoped the new organisation's approach to investigation, research and reporting would dramatically increase the understanding of exotic felines at large in Britain.
"It will also give the public a body of respectable and serious people who they can inform about sightings," he said.
There will be a press conference at the launch concerning follow-ups after the recent London lynx capture.
Also promised is never-seen-before evidence of big cats surviving and breeding in this country – and an all-night 'stake out' vigil in an area noted for recent big cat sightings.
Interested people can find out about the society on www. britishbigcats. com or call Danny on 01594 844182. The web site has a facility for reporting sightings.