FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2007-01-17

THE BRITISH COUNTRYSIDE IS A LOST WORLD

Britain is quite possibly the best-explored nation on the face of the globe, and its wildlife has been studied for centuries. Could there be sizeable animals living here unbeknownst to science?

Surely not!

However, a new book published by the Centre for Fortean Zoology [CFZ], the world’s largest organisation dedicated to the study of unknown animal species claims just that.

Writing in “The Smaller Mystery Carnivores of the Westcountry”, Jonathan Downes (47), Director of the organisation reveals a burgeoning body of evidence to suggest that The Beech Marten (Martes foina) – a cat-sized creature found across Europe – has lived in the UK within recent historical times, and may even survive in parts of the westcountry to the present day.

“There were distinct local dialect names for the creature” says Jon, “and Parish Records show that they were hunted as vermin until the 18^th Century. But the clincher is that one was killed by a car in 1978, and we have obtained a photograph of what appears to be a specimen of this species, as part of a collection of stuffed animals from Dorset.”

Also in the book, Downes reveals that three other species of small carnivore; the pine marten, the polecat, and the wildcat, survived in areas of England where they were thought to have been hunted to extinction in the mid 19^th Century. “These animals survived well into the 20^th Century, and I believe that some of them are still with us” he said.

In the past few years several other new species have been discovered in the UK including a population of European green lizards in Dorset in 1999.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

+ The Centre for Fortean Zoology is a non profit-making organisation, which was founded in 1992. Over the last 11 years we have mounted expeditions to Central America, Thailand, Mexico, various parts of the United States, as well as numerous investigations in the UK. Further information on the CFZ can be found on their website, www.cfz.org.uk.

+  2007 is the fifteenth anniversary of the founding of the CFZ and will be marked by a full programme of events including their annual convention in August, the publication of a number of new books, and the start of work on a full-time visitor centre in rural North Devon.

+ C F Z director Jonathan Downes has written numerous books on the subject of mystery animals. 

+ The honorary life President of the Centre for Fortean Zoology is renowned explorer, author and soldier Colonel John Blashford-Snell OBE, best known for his pioneering Operation Drake and Operation Raleigh expeditions during the 1970s.

+ The CFZ is looking for corporate and private sponsors

+ Photographs and review copies are available. Please contact Jonathan Downes or Mark North on +44 (0)1237 431413

Centre for Fortean Zoology [CFZ],
Myrtle Cottage,
Woolfardisworthy,
Bideford,
North Devon
EX39 5QR

Telephone:   +44 (0) 1237 431413
 email:           cfz@...

websites:       http://www.cfz.org.uk
                     http://www.cfztv.org
yahoogroup:   http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/CFZ_Volunteers/

Book Details:

·                                 Paperback: 136 pages

·                                 Publisher: CFZ Press (27 Nov 2006)

·                                 Language English

·                                 ISBN-10: 1905723059

·                                 ISBN-13: 978-1905723058

·                                 Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 9.2 inches

Buy the Book on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Smaller-Mystery-Carnivores-Westcountry/dp/1905723059/sr=1-17/qid=1169038845/ref=sr_1_17/203-9483406-6680724?ie=UTF8&s=books