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DNA test ‘confirms’ big cats are roaming around British countryside
Remember the Beast of Bodmin Moor?
A DNA test has ‘confirmed’ black panthers and other big cats are roaming around the British countryside.
Documentary makers have said a DNA test has offered definitive proof that black panthers and other big cats are prowling the British countryside.
The DNA was taken from black hair found on a barbed wire fence following a sheep attack in the UK.
The strands were sent off for testing after being recovered from a farm in Gloucestershire where there had been some ‘unusual’ predatory activity.
Suspicion was raised when video footage of a large black animal was also captured just a few miles away from where the sample was taken.
Documentary-makers, who had been investigating sightings across the UK, say the test has now come back ‘positive’ — which they day confirms the existence of black panthers and other big cats roaming free in the UK.
A forensic laboratory took on the species identification task and used mitochondrial DNA analysis to ascertain a 99% match to a big cat species.
The findings came to light as part of filming for an upcoming documentary, Panthera Britannia Declassified — which investigates claims of big cat sightings in Britain.
Matthew Everett, from Dragonfly Films, said: “The DNA was from hairs caught on a barbed wire fence where there had been some unusual predatory activity. It’s taken five years for the production team to find such evidence and film its journey from collection to analysis.
“People in Gloucestershire and Britain have described what appear to be black leopards for decades. So, a leopard DNA result from a black hair sample is unsurprising. This is not the first such DNA result and is unlikely to be the last.
“There is a great deal of ‘secondary evidence’ for these cats, such as consistent witness reports, but hard evidence like DNA is hard to get, so the contribution from this documentary is very helpful.
“Collecting such evidence from local people, farmers and landowners is essential — Citizen Science like this will hopefully help us learn more about the Bagheera type big cats which may be quietly naturalising here.”
For decades, people in Gloucestershire and across the UK have reported sightings of what appear to be black leopards.
Witnesses have described them as ‘healthy’ and ‘confident’, suggesting they grew up in their environment.
These stealthy predators mainly prey on wild animals like deer, but they’ve also been reported to attack foxes, ducks, geese and even pigeons. While they can switch to sheep, it seems that they much prefer natural game.
The current findings are not the first of their kind, but they provide valuable evidence to help understand possible big cats living in the British countryside.
Dragonfly Films is currently looking into broadcast options for the upcoming doc, while an earlier version of the film Panthera Britannia is available on Amazon Prime, Vimeo and Apple TV.
In 1976, the UK introduced the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, which required owners of certain exotic animals to obtain a licence and meet strict safety standards. This led to a surge in the number of abandoned or released exotic pets, including big cats, snakes, and primates.
The aftermath of the act’s implementation resulted in the formation of animal sanctuaries and rescue centres, as well as concerns over the welfare and safety of both the exotic animals and the public.
Some of the abandoned animals were able to be rehomed, while others were too dangerous to be domesticated and had to be euthanized. The act continues to be in effect today and has greatly reduced the number of exotic animals kept as pets in the UK.
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Piers Morgan and TikToker who went in stranger’s homes get into heated argument live on air
‘It was a trend. I just done it for a trend’
Piers Morgan and a TikTok prankster got into a heated argument during an interview live on air.
The TikToker known as ‘Mizzy’ called Piers Morgan a ‘moron’ during the bizarre and heated interview on the Piers Morgan Uncensored show, on Wednesday May 14th — just hours after his sentencing.
Mizzy — real name Bacari-Bronze O’Garro — and Morgan got into a spat while live in the studio. As the pair continued to interrupt each other throughout, Morgan listed the numerous extreme ‘moronic’ pranks O’Garro has carried out.
O’Garro is the person behind a series of notorious viral videos including stealing a woman’s dog, ripping up library books and jumping into strangers’ cars.
The 18-year-old was also said to have put a family ‘at risk’ by walking into their home pretending he was trying to find a study group, a court heard.
When Morgan asked why he would choose to cause ‘so much alarm and distress to so many people’, O’Garro replied: “This whole public uproar just makes me laugh because people are getting hurt over something that didn’t happen to them and that’s how I see it as.”
Morgan went on: “You go up and take a dog from an elderly woman, you leapfrog over the top of an orthodox Jewish man standing at the side of the road minding his business.
“You go up to women in the street and say, ‘do you want to die?’”
At one point the Talk TV presenter then asked: “A lot of the stuff that you do could have consequences far more serious but you don’t care do you, as long as you get a laugh?”
O’Garro replied: “Of course I care… I have remorse.” On why he pulled the pranks for social media, he said: “It was a trend. I just done it for a trend.” He then said he is his ‘own person’ and ‘I am legally an adult now so I can do what I want’.
The pair called each other ‘idiots’, and Morgan ended the interview by saying: “You’re just a complete moron.” Adding: “For the record, he wasn’t paid for this.”
O’Garro appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (May 24th) and admitted failing to comply with a community protection notice. He was fined £200 and will have to pay an £80 surcharge with £85 in prosecution costs.
The teenager, from Hackney, east London, was also issued with a criminal behaviour order, for a period of two years, which means he can never upload a video again without the permission of all those appearing in it.
The CBO also prohibits him from ‘trespassing into any private property, including residential homes, business properties, school and retail outlets’, and ‘attending Westfield Stratford City.’
Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway said: “The CBO issued is a powerful measure designed to prevent behaviour which has caused alarm and distress to our communities.
“If the conditions are breached, at any point over the two year period, a custodial sentence can result.”
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ITV issues new statement on Phillip Schofield after Eamonn Holmes’ claims
The broadcaster said Schofield’s ‘stepping down’ was a ‘decision agreed between Phillip and ITV’
ITV has issued a fresh statement on Phillip Schofield’s exit from This Morning after Eamonn Holmes’ comments on GB News.
The statement comes after former star Eamonn Holmes reportedly claimed the presenter ‘was sacked’. Chatting on Monday on his GB News show, Eamonn said: “Oh please, let’s just stop this. He was sacked.”
Holmes said Holly was ‘false’ and a ‘backstabber’. He went on: “She made her name on the back of him. Excuse me.
“If she has her own professional integrity, why isn’t she coming out in public and saying I have my own professional integrity, he’s done something that will reflect badly on me but she again is being as false as he is and nobody is talking about the elephant in the room.”
In a short statement to Huffington Post, ITV stepped in to dismiss Eamonn’s claims. It read: “Phillip Schofield’s decision to step down from This Morning was (as his statement made clear) a decision agreed between Phillip and ITV.”
Schofield quit This Morning last weekend after more than 20 years following a reported feud with co-star Holly Willoughby.
The presenter ‘stepped back’ with ‘immediate effect’ and in a statement said the programme had ‘become the story’ and that he wanted to ‘do what I can to protect the show that I love’.
The move came after rumours were rife that he and Holly Willoughby were ‘barely speaking’ behind the scenes amid a ‘rift’ between the pair.
Issuing a statement on Saturday, following weeks of speculation that he and Holly weren’t getting along, Phillip wrote on his Instagram: “I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning, but recently, This Morning itself has become the story.
“Throughout my career in TV — including the very difficult last few days — I have always done my best to be honourable and kind.
“I understand ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on and I want to do what I can to protect the show I love.
“So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future.
I’d like to thank everyone what has supported me – especially This Morning’s amazing viewers – and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month.”
Holly, 42 also, issued a statement in response, sharing to her Instagram, she wrote: “Hi everyone…
“It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour.
“The sofa won’t feel the same without him.”
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Cadbury’s is hiring chocolate experts to test their products
A dream come true for chocolate lovers!
Cadbury’s is hiring expert Chocolate Taster Panelists and applications are open now.
Do you love chocolate? Have you tried and tasted all kinds of the delicious silky richness in many forms and think you know a thing or two about how a choccy treat should taste?
If that’s you then this job role could be the perfect fit for you.
Cadbury’s is recruiting for Chocolate Taster Panelists to join a team who will taste test a variety of Mondelēz products — sounds heavenly, right?
The confectionary giant’s parent company, Mondelez International — which also includes Milka and Toblerone chocolate in its portfolio — is currently seeking a taster to sample, describe and provide feedback on its products.
The lucky applicants will use their senses to test the products, and ‘provide feedback using a clearly defined vocabulary, applying consistency to results provided and collaborating with other panelists’.
The role is for a permanent part time vacancy, consisting of either seven and a half, or eight hours per week, depending on the panel you work.
The panels they have available are as follows:
Panel B (12:15-14:45)
Panel C (15:00 – 17:00)
Panel E (10:00 – 12:00)
The desired applicants will need to bring the following knowledge and experience with them:
- A passion for food/beverages and to use your taste buds for detection
- Honesty when it comes to giving opinions
- Eager to try new, inventive products
- A communicative personality to build great relationships with your panel
- A firm grasp of the native language spoken in each individual location
The role will be based at their site in Wokingham.
To find out more and apply for this dreamy role, click HERE.
Please note: if you have any dietary restrictions, intolerance or allergies to certain foods, this position may not be suitable for you because, for example, you will be required to test products that contain gluten, nuts and dairy.
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