On paper, maybe, they're dangerous beasts (6)

I believe the answer is:

tigers

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'beasts' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Striped beasts ' mean 'tigers' so perhaps 'beasts' could also mean 'tigers')

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

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(Other definitions for tigers that I've seen before include "Large forest felines" , "strong economies" , "Large striped felines" , "Striped beasts" , "Large felines of forests" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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