The folder or correspondence is the result of a Freedom of Informaition request made to the Department of Primary Industries in 2011. The folder was collected for research being conducted by David Waldron. John Higgins, managing editor of the Maryborough Advertiser was interested in sightings of what some suggested to be a puma or mountain lion in Central Victoria. A number of A4 printouts relating to large cat sightings in the Maryborough (Vic) area, many reported by the Marlborough Advertiser. The large cat referred to is often referred to as a Puma or Mountain Lion. (.7) Profile of Central Victorian Cat Australian Animal Folklore Collectionaustralian animal folklore collection, cat, ferral cat, puma, mountain lion, maryborough, maryborough victoria, ds saunders, bryan walters, bernie mall, peter chapple. graham george, australian cougar, felid, pamela parker, alan foskett, daisy hill, panther, john dix, ray elliott, dennis wiley, police sightings, graham hunt, brian douglas, stuart mill, graeme grant, a. venes, avoca, julie hobbs, greg gallagher, taltarni, moonambel, fred beach, majorca, michael rayner, chateau remy, john robb, wayne irvine, brian anderson, peter davies, talbot, joyce davies, tom davies, len farthing, barry rinaldi, edward stone, brian stone, judith tranter, alan poole, shane long, jim smith, lloyd forge, carisbrook, murray henderson, doug grose, john higgins, footprint cast, australian dasyurids, felis concolor, lioness, lion, shane long, wareek, koo-jar hill, american troops, betley cat, daisy hill cat, phelan road cat, amherst cat, john higgin, angus reynolds, betley tiger, tim clark, walters cougar catcher, identification chart, david towler, bob carr, rare fauna research society, lancefield cat, bernie mace, robert pattison, bryan de lacy, romsey, murray henderson, brian collinson, neil grummett, grummett, kenneth lamont, lamont, foskett, hobbs, rinaldi, poole, forge, henderson, grant, elliott, anderson, stone, irvine, douglas, stewart, long, mythical, myth, folklore, australian mythical animals collection, david waldron, land protection, d.s. saunders, judith henke, ravenswood, wedderburn, feral cat, laanecoorie, shellbourne, barru rinaldi, lan poole, dorothy smith, amherst cemetery, graham grant, maryborough advertiser, central victorian cat, st arnaud, kyneton, shane one wareek, lack of fossil evidence, koo-jat hill, cougar hill, plaster casts, lummis, goldsborough, ian lummis, hamilton, swan hill, wodonga

In the early 1880s a small circus travelled between Millicent and Mt Gambier, South Australia. After camping overnight they discovered their Bengal Tiger at escaped and disappeared into dense scrub. After searching for hours they continued to Mt Gambier and reported the loss of the tiger to police. Police and local volunteers continued the search for the escaped tiger, but no sighting were made. In the early 1890s sheep in the Tantanoola area started to disappear with the still unsighted tiger being blamed. In 1893 reports of an unusual animal in the Tantanoola area started, with many describing the animal as the missing tiger, or a large dog. One eye witness claimed to have seen the animal carrying a full grown sheep in its mouth. The reports grew in number and exaggeration with sightings from Robe to Bendigo. In the Tantanoola district children were escorted with shotgun guards to and from school, with many homes keeping guns at the ready in case the tiger suddenly appeared. In August 1895 Tom Donovan shot the "Tantanoola Tiger" on Mt Salt Station, around 20 kms south of Tantanoola. The corpse was taken to Marks, a Mount Gambier taxidermist, at which time the animal was identified as an Assyrian or Northern Russian Wolf. Donovan displayed the animal far and wide. Despite the animal's death sheep continued to disappear from properties in the district over many years. It was of particular concern between 1909 and 1910. At that time Herbert Allchurch, an Adelaide detective, was sent to solve the mystery. A few days after his arrival Allchruch went to the front bar of the Tiger Hotel and arrested local rabbit shooter and trapper, Charlie Edmunson, with sheep stealing. After his 1911 trial Edmunson admitted to stealing over 4,000 sheep during the previous 20 years. He was gaoled for six years with hard-labour in January 1911. Edmunson had been selling the skins of the stolen sheep, leaving the carcusses to rot. He earned around five pounds per week during the 1990s and early 1900s, a time when the economy was depressed. It is not known had the animal known as the Tantanoola Tiger came to Australia, but it is believed it survived one of three ships wrecked of the coast between 1890 and 1893, making it to shore along with some of the shipwrecked passengers. (From a card produced by the Tantanoola Tiger Hotel, where the 'tiger' is on display.)A collection of Newsclippings from 1892 - 1895 photocopied onto A4 white paper. The clippings relate to the Tantanoola Tiger. Clippings include: * Border Watch 1892 - Tantanoola Tiger Reward * Sydney Morning Herald, 04/07/1857 - Animals in Zoological Gardens, including a number of large cats. * Claims the Tantanoola Tiger was an escaped circus animal (ie The Advertiser [Adelaide], 31 October 1893) * Search parties for the Tantanoola Tiger (ie Barrier Miner 19/05/1893; Barrier Miner 03/1081893) * Thylacine claim (ie Morning Bulletin [Rockhampton] 11/03/1895 * Afghan and Indian Hunters (ie Barrier Miner 07/02/1895) * Sighting by John Bird of Scarsdale - Wanganui Herald 15/12/1900. " ... Mr Bird was travelling on foot along a lonely track through very dense scrub, when he was stricken with amazement to see a full-grown tiger standing in a small dam about 30ft away, and holding in its jaws the carcass of a newly-killed lamb. He remained long enough to thoroughly take in the animals appearance, and then beat a hasty retreat unmolested. His description of the animal is as follows: A tawny-coloured creature, with a dirty mottled skin; in general appearance like an immense cat; body 4ft long, and of a uniform thickness from shoulder to hindquarters; in bulk equal to a very large pig. The legs were hidden in the water. A similar animal is reported to gave been seen near Canico, some miles away. ..." * Victorian country sightings # Bullarto - Argus 06/05/1905 # Dean - Launceston Examiner 28/01/1895 # Bendigo - Hobart Mercury 15/03/1895 # Ballan - Launceston Examiner 03/08/1895 * South Australian register 17/06/1885 " There is a tiger or panther wandering at large in Victoria, according to a rumour. It has taken the place of the Bunyip, whom hundreds have seen but none captured. This tiger is supposed to have broken loose from a travelling menagerie in the North-eastern district. At the beginning we should like it roved that such an escape ever took place. Perhaps the showmen were afraid to report the fact to the police; at any rate they did not do so. The first story about the tiger being seen came from the neighborhood of Wangaratta, 60 miles from the place where it is said to have commenced business on its own account. He was followed, but vanished among trees. Next we hear of a strange animal, bigger than a St Bernard's dog, but shorter legged, having appeared at least 150 miles from Wangaratta. Between Lilydale and Wangaratta there is a dividing range 2,000 feet high in the lowest past, besides several large rivers. An finally, the tiger - changed from a panther - is reported as having been seen within the suburban circle, about 8 miles from the general Post Office. They show you footprints, and point to the carcasses of mangled cows and calves. Casts have been taken of the footprints for examination by scientific men, who pronounce them doglike, and yet not doglike, but panther-like, which gives a nervous turn, for the panther may take up killing children and grown-up people. One tiger will not account for so many apparitions. There must have been a general strike among the menageries, and a breaking-up companies. ... * Research article by Philip A. Clarke "Indigenous Spirit and Ghost Folklore of 'Settled' Australia. australian animal folklore collection, tantanoola tiger, tom donovan, herbert allchurch, charles edmunson, sheep, charlie edmunson, mythical, myth, folklore

Three colour photographs of paw prints near Lake Murdeduke, Winchelseaaustralian animal folklore collection, lake murdeduke, winchelsea, mythical, myth, folklore, legend

The cast of a captive male Snow Leopard was made by David Pepper-Edwards at Taronga Zoo, Sydney, NSW. David Pepper-Edwards used a number of plaster cast footprints for comparison of unidentified field casts.Three plaster casts of a male Snow Leopard footprint. These casts were used in the identification of photographs and sightings of large cats in the Australian Bush. Australian Animal Folklore CollectionVersoL TZ, Snow Leopard, Male, 3/04australian animal folklore collection, david pepper edwards, pepper edwards, big cat, cat, snow leopard, plaster cast, footprint, mythical, myth, folklore

David Pepper-Edwards used a number of plaster cast footprints made at Taronga Zoo in the identification of Big Cat sightings in the bush.Plaster casts of big cat footprints. These casts were used in the identification of photographs and sightings of large cats in the Australian Bush. Australian Animal Folklore Collectionaustralian animal folklore collection, david pepper edwards, pepper edwards, big cat, cat, plaster cast, footprint, mythical, myth, folklore

The cast of a captive female African Lion aged 5 months was made by David Pepper-Edwards at Taronga Zoo, Sydney, NSW. David Pepper-Edwards used a number of plaster cast footprints for comparison of unidentified field casts.Two plaster casts of a Lion footprint. These casts were used in the identification of photographs and sightings of large cats in the Australian Bush. Australian Animal Folklore Collectionverso: TZ, lion, male, 04/04australian animal folklore collection, david pepper edwards, pepper edwards, big cat, cat, lion, plaster cast, footprint, mythical, myth, folklore

The cast of a captive Golden Cat was made by David Pepper-Edwards at Taronga Zoo, Sydney, NSW. David Pepper-Edwards used a number of plaster cast footprints for comparison of unidentified field casts.Three plaster casts of a Golden Cat footprint. These casts were used in the identification of photographs and sightings of large cats in the Australian Bush. Australian Animal Folklore CollectionVerso: TZ, Golden Cat, male, 5/04australian animal folklore collection, david pepper edwards, pepper edwards, big cat, cat, golden cat, plaster cast, footprint, mythical, myth, folklore

The cast of a captive African Lion was made by David Pepper-Edwards at Taronga Zoo, Sydney, NSW. This cast was taken in deep mud to demonstrate the abnormal shape of such casts. Sometimes cats claws are clearly visible from such casts and so being confused with that of a large dog. David Pepper-Edwards used a number of plaster cast footprints for comparison of unidentified field casts.Plaster cast of a Lion footprint. These casts were used in the identification of photographs and sightings of large cats in the Australian Bush. The plaster has remnant straw like material attached. Australian Animal Folklore Collectionaustralian animal folklore collection, pepper edwards, david pepper edwards, big cats, mythical, myth, folklore

The cast of a captive male Sumatran Tiger aged 5 months was made by David Pepper-Edwards at Taronga Zoo, Sydney, NSW. David Pepper-Edwards used a number of plaster cast footprints for comparison of unidentified field casts.Two plaster casts of a five month old male Sumatran tTiger footprint. These casts were used in the identification of photographs and sightings of large cats in the Australian Bush. Australian Animal Folklore Collectionverso: TZ, Sumatran Tiger, males, 5 months, 3/04australian animal folklore collection, david pepper edwards, pepper edwards, big cat, cat, sumatran tiger, plaster cast, footprint, mythical, myth, folklore

David Pepper-Edwards used a number of plaster cast footprints for comparison of unidentified field casts.Plaster casts of a Puma footprint. These casts were used in the identification of photographs and sightings of large cats in the Australian Bush. Australian Animal Folklore Collectionaustralian animal folklore collection, david pepper edwards, pepper edwards, big cat, cat, puma, plaster cast, footprint, mythical, myth, folklore

The cast of a captive Alpine Dingo was made by David Pepper-Edwards at Taronga Zoo, Sydney, NSW. David Pepper-Edwards used a number of plaster cast footprints for comparison of unidentified field casts.Plaster casts of an Alpine Dingo Footprint. These casts were used in the identification of photographs and sightings of large cats in the Australian Bush. Australian Animal Folklore CollectionVerso: TZ, Alpine Dingo, 4/04australian animal folklore collection, david pepper edwards, pepper edwards, alpine dingo, dingo, plaster cast, footprint, mythical, myth, folklore

The cast of a captive Alpine Dingo was made by David Pepper-Edwards at Taronga Zoo, Sydney, NSW. David Pepper-Edwards used a number of plaster cast footprints for comparison of unidentified field casts.Two plaster casts of a Tropical Dingo footprint. These casts were used in the identification of photographs and sightings of large cats in the Australian Bush. Australian Animal Folklore CollectionVerso: TZ, Tropical Dingo, 4/04australian animal folklore collection, david pepper edwards, pepper edwards, tropical dingo, dingo, plaster cast, footprint, mythical, myth, folklore

The cast of a captive Clouded Leopard was made by David Pepper-Edwards at Taronga Zoo, Sydney, NSW. David Pepper-Edwards used a number of plaster cast footprints for comparison of unidentified field casts.Two plaster casts of a male Clouded Leopard. These casts were used in the identification of photographs and sightings of large cats in the Australian Bush. Australian Animal Folklore CollectionVerso: TZ, 3/04/male/Clouded Leopardaustralian animal folklore collection, david pepper edwards, pepper edwards, big cat, cat, clouded leopard, plaster cast, footprint, mythical, myth, folklore

David Pepper-Edwards used a number of plaster cast footprints for comparison of unidentified field casts.Plaster casts of big cat footprint. These casts were used in the identification of photographs and sightings of large cats in the Australian Bush. Australian Animal Folklore Collectionaustralian animal folklore collection, david pepper edwards, pepper edwards, big cat, cat, plaster cast, cast, resin cast, footprint, mythical, myth, folklore