Information released on 1 November 2005

Summary of information requested
Detailed regional and annual breakdown of the instances where livestock/domestic animal carcasses have been examined at a VLA Regional Laboratory in relation to suspected exotic cat predation between 1995 and 2005 and the cases where further forensic samples were taken.

  1. Type of animal carcass (sheep, dog etc)
  2. Date of analysis (day, month, year)
  3. Location of VLA Regional Laboratory where the post mortem was carried out
  4. Conclusion of post mortem examination
  5. Date and details of cases where forensic samples were taken for further analysis

A figure/estimate of total livestock post mortem numbers that have been carried out in that time - as an indication of how rare exotic cat predation is related to other causes of death.

Any further instances of suspected exotic cat attacks on livestock occurred between June 2005 and the current date (7 Sept 2005) that has resulted in a VLA post mortem examination.

Information released
The total number of livestock post mortems carried out between 1995 and 2005 is 1,189,269.

There have been two further instances of suspected exotic cat attacks on livestock between June 2005 and 7 September 2005 that have resulted in a VLA post mortem examination.

The VIDA pages have details of the total number of diagnostic submissions per year.

Details of post mortem examinations are provided in the form of a spreadsheet. Cases where forensic samples were sent elsewhere, together with the date, are stated in the comments and conclusions textbox.