So you wanna pursue paranormal pumas?

What’s the story?
Our video clip follows a weekend in the life of the Exeter Strange Phenomena Research Group – and it was weird.

Why?
Because it was a Weird Weekend – organised by the group’s founders Jonathan Downes and Graham Inglis – and open to believers, sceptics and cynics from all over the UK.

What’s a ‘weird weekend’?
Well in this instance it consisted of three days of ‘lectures’ from ‘experts’ in fields as diverse as UFO’s, Ghosts, Dragons, Vampires, The Pyramids, and ol’ Nick himself - The Devil. The crowning moment of the weekend was a trip to Dartmoor Wildlife Park, and a look at ABCs!

‘ABCs’ – who they?
‘Alien Big Cats’.

You mean there are pussies from outer space stalking the UK?
Er, no, unfortunately not. An Alien Big Cat is defined as any of the larger, non-indigenous puddy-tats, such as pumas, panthers, leopards and lynx, which are alleged to be roaming the country right at this very moment now.

You mean there are killer pussies stalking the UK?
Allegedly. Although, by way of qualification, none of these killer pussies – if they’re really out there – have as yet been known to kill a human.

How are these big cats supposed to have got out there?
The Dangerous Wild Animals Act was passed in 1976, making it illegal to own exotic but dangerous beasties. Some owners released their beasts into the local woods. Thus, several generations on, we now have a thriving and feral population of big cats roaming these here lands. Allegedly.

Who looks for these beasts?
Unlike tales of UFOs and Loch Ness Monsters, belief in big cats roaming the UK attracts attention from scientists and academics, as well as amateur investigators.

So how do I find me one of these big cats? Well, if they are really out there, the first piece of advice is BEWARE! You’d be lucky to see one, but should you want some sound advice on what to do if you come face-to-face with one, visit Links.

Seriously, though – are they really out there, or would I be wasting my time?
According to some Zoologists and Naturalists there are as many as 100 big cats at large in the UK countryside, and they point to sightings, paw casts, sheep carcasses, and even video footage as evidence.

On the other hand
Sceptics point out that if big cats have been surviving - even breeding - in the wild since the 1970s, they only have a natural life span of some 20 years. Therefore, if they are really out there, someone somewhere should have come across a big cat corpse by now. See Trivia for specific sightings and ‘evidence’.