"Durham"

Page last revised:
3rd October 2004

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DATE: ANIMAL: LOCATION:
17th November 2000 BURMESE PYTHON Not Known
6th November 2001 REPTILES Wingate
29th December 2002 POLECATS Not Specific
26th January 2003 EXOTIC ANIMAL SANCTUARY Tow Law
17th November 2003 WOLVERINE? Weardale
20th November 2003 WOLVES Eglesfield

 

BURMESE PYTHON
A 13 year old Burmese python named Cleo, was found on the roof of her owners home in County Durham. Cleo smashed her way out of her sealed glasshouse and forced open and upstairs window. The 19 ft long snake was spotted stretched out on the roof by neighbours. It took RSPCA officers and fire-fighters 3 hours to get the 11 stone python into captivity again.

17th November 2000
(Source: Northern Echo)

Written By: Steve Jones

Ref: 1438

Tow Law
EXOTIC ANIMAL SANCTUARY
An exotic animal sanctuary, which will cost several million pounds and occupy approximately 22 acres, is awaiting planning permission. If successful, the sanctuary will be based in County Durham, just outside Tow Law. The sanctuary will act as a educational and re-homing centre and will be the largest of its kind in the country. The centre will cater for, among others, crocodiles, birds of prey, primates and large cats such as lions and tigers.

It is also hoped that a fleet of animal ambulances will be set up.

It is believed that the sanctuary will be welcomed by council officials as it will help to attract tourism.

(Source: Northern Echo)
26th January 2003

Written by: Steve Jones

Ref No: 1439

Wingate
REPTILES
Owners have been reunited with their reptiles after having them removed by the RSPCA following an operation which lasted twelve hours at a farm in Wingate, East Durham. The owners made a legal challenge to recover a variety of reptiles including crocodiles, alligators and pythons. It is understood that the creatures belong to a group of breeders, who are believed to hold licences to keep the animals. It is also believed that the site may be one of the only places in the country to have successfully bred caymen alligators.

The RSPCA are said to be continuing their investigation.

(Source: Northern Echo)
6th November 2001

Written By: Steve Jones 

File: 2003-197
Ref: 1437

POLECATS
Red backed polecats
I received this e-mail from one of our members Steve Gaites; it concerns a Polecat type creature that has a deep red Guard Hairs, when they should be black. We're talking " Polecat ". Mustelia Putorius. Whether they be 'Full Blooded' Polecats or 'Just' feral Ferrets, I neither know nor care. Having spent a life time around ferrets, and many more experienced men, from all over Britain - including a Government sponsored Polecat Breeder and a Professional Trapper turned Mink Farmer - I've never seen the likes of these, nor heard of such. OK. Lets put away our skulls and blood tests, people. Let's keep it on the ground here: In and around the county of Durham, North East of England, they have these free roaming Polecats. What ever their Ethnic origins, their coats are a damn funny colour. They're Copper Red! Not as tango orange as a weasel. Not even as orange as a good fox. No. These are "Red", to the brown side of the spectrum. Ye don't GET "Brown" ferrets, let alone Red ones. Ferrets start yellow / white and go through various sandy browns. But a chocolate brown, let alone a Red? I've never heard of one. Without splitting hairs, Polecats - or ferrets coloured the same - are what we would describe as, basically, " Black ". I repeat: These Durham Polecats are a gorgeous, deep RED. Now, I'm from the south coast. But I know the history of our old Portsmouth ferrets and I know the man who brought change to us and ours, personally. He's from Wales. He doesn't talk about Red ferrets. Hunters native to Durham do, however. They all know about them. Think little of them - beyond a certain pride at having them around - and are quite prone to having their remains mounted. I saw mine that way, at the CLA Game Fair, about twenty years ago. Never heard of them before or since.

29th December 2002

Contributed by:Steve Gaites

File: 2002-28
Ref No: 161

Comments:
If anyone has anything to add to this, or indeed a photogragh we'd be very greatful

Eglesfield
WOLVES
WOLVES SPOTTED IN A VILLAGER’S GARDEN
By Stephen Meredith
WILD wolves, which have been extinct in Britain since the 17th century, could be on the loose north of Carlisle. as the Police have received a report that two wolves were spotted roaming in a garden as well as wolf-like howling which has also been heard nearby. Irene Carruthers was walking near her home when she claims two large grey wolves crossed her path. She said: “I was just near my house when two big dog-like animals came out of the garden next to mine. They were grey and white and had long legs. They were nothing like domestic dogs and they were absolutely stinking. “Recently I saw a TV programme about wolves and they looked just like them. I reported it to the police because I was worried about farm animals in the area.” Mrs Carruthers spotted the wolf-like creatures in Eaglesfield, which is between Gretna and Lockerbie, on November 1st. A police spokeswoman from Dumfries & Galloway said: “We can confirm we have received a report of an animal similar in appearance to a wolf.” She added that it was very difficult to verify sightings. She said that they had received no other reports of wolves being spotted and stressed that people should not be alarmed. Wolves became extinct in Britain in the 17th century but there have been discussions about the re-introduction of the beasts into the Scottish Highlands. Over the past couple of years.

(Source: News & Star)
20th November 2003

Contributed by: Erik Knatterud

File: 2003-90
Ref No: 911

Weardale
WOLVERINE?
"Are there any wolverines living wild in the North East??" I was asked by one of our members. Apparently she was driving across the moors between Rookhope and Ireshopburn, Weardale, she has now twice seen a beastie that looks like one - a big, ferret-like creature, almost as long as a badger. It is "polecat" coloured at a guess, but on both occasions it has been dark and only briefly seen in the car headlights.

Whatever-it-is she said lives in a small conifer plantation, it's populated by loads of rabbits, hares, squirrels, so there's plenty of food around.

17th November 2003

Contributed by: Jan Edwards

File: 2003-89
Ref No: 902

Comments:
We'd be very I'd be interested to hear if there are any other sightings of such a creature in this area, please contact us at: info@beastwatch.co.uk

N.B. We at Beastwatch UK pride ourselves for trying to write only truthful accounts of all events recorded here, if you know of any reports within these pages to be incorrectely presented then please accept our appologies and contact us immediately letting us know the true facts behind the report, as it is not our intention to write any untruths here.

If you have any further information on any of these, or any other reports for this or other areas, then please let us know

Thank you

Chris Mullins

Co-ordinator
BEASTWATCH UK
info@beastwatch.co.uk