It is no secret that I could really use money. Mainly to eat since apparently that is essential. So imagine my surprise at hearing from a tabloid journalist who wanted to talk to me about the 1977-2013 period and my work running the Exotic Animal Register and acting as a UK police forces consultant.
Imagine my bigger surprise at the amount being offered. It would take care of financial problems but that in itself made me very suspicious. I asked "What do you want to cover in the interview?" That is when I saw the money disappearing.
As much background as I could give on my police forces consultation and especially any incidents that the police might have covered up. Stuff like names, ranks and contact details of the Police Wild Crimes Officers involved.
Oh, and as detailed a map of where cats such as puma are seen regularly.
The names of two female academics I worked with were mentioned and the questions were digging for any sleaze there.
I said the amount offered was nowhere near enough. "I can go up by another grand but that's it" I was told.
My response was still no.
As far as I am concerned I gave a promise to both observers, police officers and, yes, even MAFF and DEFRA, that everything we discussed was in the strictest confidentiality. I am a naturalist and my interest was in studying the animals reported even if that could only be carried out via accumulating many hundreds of reports.
Public Records Act, Official Secrets Act are all just papers. They mean nothing but my word -old fashioned concept maybe- as far as I am concerned my bond. In the past I have severed links with people who gave their word and then broke it.
I know full well why the most up to date and accurate map of sightings was requested. I know of two hunters who are willing to go out and shoot a non native cat for the money and I was told two days ago that they had agreed to hunt on behalf of "a certain tabloid"....which this reporter worked for. Coincidence? "By my word and actions no harm to cause to any wild animal" means just that. Blood money was being offered.
As for "What did you both get up to on all those quiet lonely nights?" I expect no better from tabloid journalists.
So no quick financial fix! As for the title "Morals Can Be A Very Tough Thing" well, no. Not so much being tough but doing the right thing.
The idea of taking money and throwing away all principles just does not even come into my mind. It's a pity that so many out there who are "British Big Cat Veterans" of 5-6 years do not understand that -it is studying the non native animals that is important not trying to get intop local newspapers or on TV.
Imagine my bigger surprise at the amount being offered. It would take care of financial problems but that in itself made me very suspicious. I asked "What do you want to cover in the interview?" That is when I saw the money disappearing.
As much background as I could give on my police forces consultation and especially any incidents that the police might have covered up. Stuff like names, ranks and contact details of the Police Wild Crimes Officers involved.
Oh, and as detailed a map of where cats such as puma are seen regularly.
The names of two female academics I worked with were mentioned and the questions were digging for any sleaze there.
I said the amount offered was nowhere near enough. "I can go up by another grand but that's it" I was told.
My response was still no.
As far as I am concerned I gave a promise to both observers, police officers and, yes, even MAFF and DEFRA, that everything we discussed was in the strictest confidentiality. I am a naturalist and my interest was in studying the animals reported even if that could only be carried out via accumulating many hundreds of reports.
Public Records Act, Official Secrets Act are all just papers. They mean nothing but my word -old fashioned concept maybe- as far as I am concerned my bond. In the past I have severed links with people who gave their word and then broke it.
I know full well why the most up to date and accurate map of sightings was requested. I know of two hunters who are willing to go out and shoot a non native cat for the money and I was told two days ago that they had agreed to hunt on behalf of "a certain tabloid"....which this reporter worked for. Coincidence? "By my word and actions no harm to cause to any wild animal" means just that. Blood money was being offered.
As for "What did you both get up to on all those quiet lonely nights?" I expect no better from tabloid journalists.
So no quick financial fix! As for the title "Morals Can Be A Very Tough Thing" well, no. Not so much being tough but doing the right thing.
The idea of taking money and throwing away all principles just does not even come into my mind. It's a pity that so many out there who are "British Big Cat Veterans" of 5-6 years do not understand that -it is studying the non native animals that is important not trying to get intop local newspapers or on TV.
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