Are Big Cats at large?
Big Cats continue to be in the news, with sightings across SW Wales.
Check out these links, play the Big Cats game and join the debate below!
Have you seen a Big Cat? What do you think about what's happening? Do you have a theory?
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Thomas from Pembroke said:"In April this year several council workers saw a large black cat cross the road where they were working clearing a wind blown tree from the Dill road about a mile and a half from the town centre,and reported to the police.Also,a former work colleague of mine working for Welsh Water spotted a large black cat in a treatment works in the Milford area of the county,this sighting was also confirmed by an insurance rep from Zurich,they both made statements to the police."
Michael says, "The suggestion that the sightings and predation of deer and livestock is by Kellas cats is complete nonsense.
"A large Kellas cat might weigh 6-7kg. Kellas cats are melanistic Scottish wildcats and like the striped pelage wildcat a significant number are hybridised with domestic cats but some are pure bred so it is not the effect of hybridism causing the black colour, or creating some new feline capable of taking prey larger than rabbits.
"Predation of larger mammals is due to non-indigenous known species that appear to be living and possible breeding in the UK.
"I have personal experience of both Kellas cats and of predation of deer and livestock. Sightings of Scottish wildcats are fairly rare, melanistic ones (ie Kellas cats) much, much rarer, and confined to the regions of Northern Scotland with have a resident Scottish wildcat population. There are probably melanistic leopards, pumas,lynx and the occasional smaller exotic cat species, at large in the UK."
James told us, "I live in the small village of Trefil just outside the Brecon Beacons National Park...I saw a pair of eyes in on the left-hand side of the road on the way up Trefil Road, just before the barrier before the cattle grid. I slowed down to see a very large browny black coloured big cat. I immediately stopped and turned car to find that it had disappeared... I have never seen it before and I hope I never see it again...
Rachel of Sutton Coldfield said, "Just come back from a weekend in Symonds Yat. Heard about big cat sightings but didnt think anything of them until myself and my partner came across a deer carcass which wouldnt have looked out of place in Africa. It was completely stripped to the bone, no meat left on it anywhere. The carcass hadn't been ripped into pieces, just a leg missing, which we found about 20m up the path. This also looks like where it was first attacked. I believe now!
Alex Beardsley said, "This may seem crazy and you may have had a few stories...I had sighting of a big cat I have images of paw prints to state how big its paws were - the paws are at least size five in shoe."
"I stand at 5.6 foot and the cat from the looks of it came just above my knees..."
Graham Rowland of Port Talbot said, "About three years ago I was travelling to work on my pushbike in the area of Bryn, Port Talbot, on the road to a vilage called Goytre.
"As I came around a corner I came across a herd of deer, who were obviously frightned by my appearance and were trying to jump over a fence. I ignored them and continued on my way as this is a normal sight .
"I then heard a very loud growl, which I had not heard before, the growling continued for some time - this for me was terrifying as having played as a child around this area I have never heard this before.
"When I arrived at work I was obviously distressed so I contacted the police because the area was close to a housing estate and I would have not forgave myself if any people would have got hurt by whatever I heard..."
Mike Collins from the Forest of Dean says: "It's pretty certain there are large exotic cats at large in many parts of the country. First generation animals were those which were dumped after the introduction of the dangerous animal act.
"With an increasing population of panther and puma it is only a matter of time before there is a serious incident. DEFRA needs to stop ignoring the evidence and accept their responsibility to the public and farmers."
Bill of Port Talbot says: "I saw one in 1986 when I was a boy in the Afan Forest Park. Around five friends and myself chased it about half a mile down a forestry road on our bikes and it disappeared into the trees."
Morrigan of Cardiff says "...those in officialdom don't seem very interested in the subject is it any wonder that amateurs are taking up the cause?
"What some people don't seem to realise is that the public want answers and they are not getting them from the establishment. So they turn to groups such as the British Big Cat Society. Considering also that this society, and others like it, are run on a shoe string budget what do you expect?
"You seem to imply that being an amateur is somehow bad. There are lots of amateur wildlife and bird watchers who are amateurs, also amateur botanists, archaeologists, astronomers, geologists and paleontologists. It is usually the amateurs that make the discoveries before the professionals....
"...Don't bash something because it might seem amateurish to you. They might have a better chance if they had adequate funds.
As it is many consider big cat stories a bit of laugh. Those in the establishment seem very reluctant to set up a proper study so at the end of the day unless they do, then the field is open to the amateurs to try and find out whats going on."
Lou says:
"Not trying to disprove anything, but when we were kids and bored, we used to make cuts in wood, trees, stone, just with a knife. All the millions of big cat sightings, yet no photographs of a big cat! I walk my dog in the woods by my house 4 times a day, one at about 9pm, and again about 3 am, never seen or heard a thing"
Steven from Carmarthen believes he saw a big cat on 13 January 2007:
"Drove past a large brown cat which I can describe as looking like an overgrown lion cub, about the size of a labrador walking along the side of the road just south of Wolf's Castle Pembrokeshire. Reported it to the Police. The date was 13 January 2007. There was no moon and the cat was clearly seen in the headlights. On the lefthand side of the road as I was driving southbound. It had a long tail which appeared quite thick and a strong muscular body. It walked with a gait like a puppy and had large rounded ears. It was light brown in colour. I did not get to see the face as it was facing into the hedgerow. The back of its neck appeared wide and puffy.
I approached the animal from the rear and slowed down to around 20 or 25mph to get a good look.
This was on the main road
between Wolf's Castle and Scotchwell Roundabout."
Daniel from St. Clears has this to say:
"I was out in the Llanddowror Forestry today cycling as usual. And I came across sheep fur, which was strewn in a ditch on the side of the track. It looked to me as though the sheep had been savagely killed. What seemed strange to me was that there was no carcass or remains of the animal. I presume it must have been some kind of large cat preadator, as I know there have been sightings in the area for many years."
Chris from Bridgend says:
"In regard to Phillip of Carmarthen. I am a geologist and have been working in Felindre. Today a colleague of mine was driving through a field when he spotted a large black cat (a puma it was presumed) 100 yards in front of him. It stared at him for about 10 seconds, as he tried to get a bit closer the puma made haste and ran away in the opposite direction. We will be working there for the next few days so will have our camera phones at the ready!"
Owen from Cardigan has this comment to make:
"
I was just driving home, from Aberporth, and a Lynx type cat ran across the path of my car. It was a bit larger than a fox, and had spots all over its body, and it had strange ears, that I can't compare to anything.
I was shocked by the sight so I searched the net for any other sightings, and found this site.
I'm shocked!"
Kevin from Pembrey doesn't believe there are big cats in Pembrey:
"
There are definitely no big cats in Pembrey Country Park or Pembrey Forest. As a naturalist I have covered every inch of this area in the last 20 years. I wish there was though, I would love to study it..."
N Russell has seen something strange in South Carmarthenshire:
"
November 4 is the first anniversary of my dad's death and both me and my mother wanted to pay our respects, we had scattered some of his ashes down Pembrey Country Park , it was already dark when we got there and only had a small torch with us, it is in a pretty remote area of the park, and when we could no longer drive we set out on foot, with some flowers.
" We hadn't got very far when we spotted something watching us, I shined the torch in it's direction but couldn't really make out more than just the shape of a head and it's eyes staring at us, I grabbed my mother and we made a change in direction, it was at this time that I heard it growl at us, I thought ok time to go. We very hastily paid our respects and made our way back the way we'd come, the car was about 300 yards away, I felt really uneasy by this time, and turned around and shone the torch behind me. It was then I realised that whatever it was that had been watching us and I'd heard growling at us was following us, it was on the road a couple of yards away and it was large and I'm not totally sure but got the impression it was light in color definately not black,I panicked as I realised the vulneranle situation we were in and kept waving the torch to and fro in an attempt to confuse it or frighten it off.
"We got back into the car very quickly started the engine and put the full beam on, but by this time it had gone or we couldn't see it any more. I don't know what it was that we saw but I know I won't be returning there after dark again."
Wendy from Lancashire talks about a recent visit to Pembrokehsire:
"Me & my family have just returned from a week in Pembroke, South Wales. Whilst on a day out to Broadhaven Beach, my 13 year old daughter Aimee saw what she thought was a cat near the car park. She approached it to stroke it, like you would with a domestic cat, only for her to discover that it was a black panther. She was about 6 - 8 foot away from it but it disappeared off into undergrowth as she approached it. She wasn't alone when she saw it, Rick Brace who formally comes from Pembroke was with her when she saw it and couldn't believe his eyes. It was about 7.30pm on a lovely summers evening and there was hardly anyone about. They only actually saw it for a minute or two but both my daughter and Rick were in no doubt it was definitely a panther and not a domestic dog or cat."
Jenny from Cillgeran says:
"In response to 'Ron of Colorado' and his insinuation that big cat sightings are manufactured, I think I am probably fairly representative of the Welsh contingent, in saying that we are a fairly honest practical lot, interested in how one should deal with the situation rather than wasting time fabricating it. Living in fairly remote rural communities, personal safety and risk to children and livestock are our concerns not sensationalism ..."
Dan from Whitland says:
"I saw a large brown cat bigger than a collie on my way home from the pub. I wasn't drunk I know what I saw. It literally jumped out of the hedge five feet in front of me so even in the dark I could see it. Also my postman saw one sunbathing on the road a couple of hundred yards from my house. Many locals have reported sightings of both black and brown big cats in our area."
Mike from Newport has this question:
"Regarding big cats at large in South Wales, can you tell me to what extent they have been spotted around the hills of S Wales? As a mountain biker I often ride alone through these hills and sometimes at night there are plenty of deer around this area...".
Philip of Carmarthen says:
"Three years ago my wife and I were driving near Felindre, on the A484 on the way to Newcastle Emlyn. My wife says she saw a large brown puma lying in the sun, by a stream, close to a wood. We turned around and went back to look, but it had disappeared. She was adamant, it was a puma/mountain lion type of animal. At the time we knew nothing about the 'big cat' sightings. My wife lived her young life in Kenya and seeing big cats was quite normal."
Jenny from Cillgerran asks:
"In April 2004 my husband and two (adult) daughters all saw a black 'big' cat in the field visible from the churchyard at Cillgerran, on the opposite side of the river gorge. My husband is shortsighted and hadn't got his glasses on, but could see that it was much bigger than a dog and walked in a feline way. The two girls both have good eyesight and could both see it was a very big, black, puma/leopard size cat. They described its feline back legs and haunches and the way it stalked the sheep. It disappered into woodland behind the field. "I became more concerned when I heard of more sightings locally of what has been named the beast of Boncath! Recently we found prints going up to the river where we live (in a neighbouring village to Cillgerran) which seemed to be feline but about 4 or 5 inches across. I wondered if I should report this to someone even though it's often met with scepticism?"
Lynsey Willis of Carmarthenshire says:
"About eighteen months ago I was leaving my mums house in Pembrokeshire when a very large cat ran out in front of me from in between my car and the grass bank and into the trees. It stood over two foot tall and was very long in the body with a very long tail, if I had reached out I could easily have touched it! Needless to say I didn't hang around any longer to get another look!"
Rosemary from Poole says:
"I was walking through a local pine forest a couple of weeks ago with my sons and dogs when I saw a large animal on the track ahead. I thought oh a deer, then realised it wasn't tall enough and too long and light in colour. "I couldn't think what it was so I called the boys attention to it "What do you think that is?" It was completely still just looking towards us 3/4 on, then it moved away across the track. It was a cat large and light tan, the tail long thick and curved at the end. My youngest son described to me exactly what I had seen, my oldest son wasn't looking in the right direction and still teases us.
" I hadn't taken much notice of the reports before and I certainly never expected to see a big cat. I can't say that I was close enough to say for sure what type it was, I couldn't see any black or white markings on its face as you would expect on a cougar, but it the way it ambled off the path nothing but a big cat moves like that. By the time we got to the trail it had taken, there was no sign on it."
Vicky from Haverfordwest has this theory:
"I haven't seen a big cat in South Wales, but I think I may have a theory. Back in the 60's/70's I'm sure that people used to keep these exotic pets without any kind of license and it wasn't illegal back then. A law was then passed against the keeping of these animals, making sure that they would only be housed in zoos etc ... I should imagine you'd now be in big trouble if you had one, maybe it could be that they let them lose? I know I sound mad, but it's a possibility."
Terry from Cambridgeshire recalls seeing a big cat:
"Greetings all, I have been into looking for Big cats since 1985 in Cambridgeshire. I have had several sightings since 1985. The latest was in November last year in Lincolnshire when we had a multiple group stake out in Lincolnnshire to look for a 'big cat". "We received a report to say it had just gone past us in the lay by on the Boston road. We jumped into our cars and went down the road like the charge of the light brigade and eventually we were on the Boston road. It seemed that we had pasted the sighting. I said we must turn around to go back and Mark radioed to the car behind that we were about to do so. I turned my 4 x 4 in a 3-point turn and we saw the cat in the dipped head lights."
"It appeared to be about the size of an alsation and possibly fluffy or long haired. It immediately 'skulked' and ran away from us. I put the lights onto full beam and it ran towards our right into the woods. Mark Fraser jumped out of my vehicle with my 20.000.000 torch and ran into the woods. I parked my vehicle safely and joined by Chris Mullins and Brian Murphy, and then we looked into the woods."
"Mark had apparently ran past the cat and turned in the woods and had seen the 'eyes' shining yellow in the light. The time now being about 23.00 to mid-night. We adjourned to the sewage works and looked again. A big metal door was 'clanging' every 2 minutes. It must have been an automatic valve but to us out in the woods it sounded like 'Draculas' coffin opening. We saw no more of the 'cat' but others have seen it. We will return."
Ian responds to Patricia's email:
"Well Said Patricia. I couldn't agree more with your comments in relation to the British Big Cat Society. The British Big Cat Society are experts at self publicity and are duping the public into believing they know about exotic cats. Yet time and time agin they display absolute ignorance in relation to the biology and behaviour of exotic cats. The NFU would do well to stay clear of any comments they make - it's all about making a name for themselves and the 'advice' they offer could actually be dangerous."In relation to the recent incident near Lampeter their ignorance is perfectly illustrated in the comment that a puma is more likely to eat a rabbit than a lamb - as a lamb is a big meal for a puma. This is utter tosh - since deer form the main staple item in the diet of pumas in their native habitats..."
"In my personal practical experience on this subject and with a background in forensics I have tracked and studied cats (exotic species living out of captivity) in the UK for many years. I have liased with Tom Brown Jr - an acknowleged world expert tracker who came to Wales in Autum 2002 and confirmed irrefutably that there are large species of exotic cats present. The cats ARE present but the evidence is very difficult to obtain. These are exceptionally elusive animals - a lot more elusive than most people imagine - and the reason for much of the scepticism as to whether they exist at all. They have thwarted the best efforts of official scientists to prove their existence and while many people would like to be able to view one in the wild - it is not easy!
"The work done by the Exotic cat researchers from Swansea University is very impressive in my professional opinion, far and away more technically sound than anything the BBCS have ever brought to light. As for the amateurs - the best I've seen for effort in the field is Clive Moulding's (Beastwatch) attempts but his best efforts to obtain definitive and comprehensive proof have failed (due to the low density of cats and the huge territiories they cover - many counties in size); he does however have a confirmed puma cast - something that he should be very proud of finding and confirming using independent experts in the US.
"Technically speaking The British Big Cat Society rate very poorly due to their very amateurish approach and the unfounded conclusions they regulalrly spout in the press (as illustrated above). The British Big Cat Society is WRONG in their assertion that the number of animals is increasing - and that the number of sightings reported equates to a real population increase - it doesn't. These people are NOT scientists and the NFU should not listen to them. If they knew what they were talking about DEFRA would listen.
"This is a case where empty vessels make most noise. There is no real substance to their evidence and it is all hype and poorly analysed. The fact is the cats are present at very low numbers and are likely to trickle from existence in a natural decline. I know that Tom Brown visited Patricia and would like to hear her opinion of his methods.
"I would like to see a public debate on the subject as that would show just how ignorant the BBCS are when faced with a genuine expert. How can a society who cannot even distiguish the difference between a dog track and a cat track be considered experts? A photographer has already taken photographs of a mysterious paw print. The photographs were passed on to Danny Bamping, founder and spokesman for the British Big Cats Society. He revealed he could not be sure what animal left the prints... In actual fact there was no problem with the quality of this photograph and the track / print was unambiguously identified as a dog print. Now would a real expert in big cats side-step the issue and blame the photograph? Personally I think it's time the charlatans were unmasked."
Patricia from Rhydcymerau Llandeilo comments on an attack on a lamb which took place in Talsarn Llandeilo:
"I have read with great interest about the latest attack on a lamb in Talsarn near Lampeter and I felt that the comments by the West Wales representative of the British Big Cat Society were well out of order."First of all this lady did NOT see the dead lamb nor did she see a photo of the kill, so how and what right has she got to say that it was NOT a big cat kill? I am the founder of the West Wales Big Cat Society and a former member of the British Big Cat Society and I can tell them that if they had taken the trouble to go to see the lamb in question herself then she would have had seen first hand that it WAS KILLED by a big cat."
"I went to see the kill for myself and having seen so many big cat kills over the last five years ... I know what I have seen and this lamb was killed by a big cat. The evidence was as clear as the nose on your face, it was typical big cat kill.....
"I wish that the so called 'big cat representatives' of the British Big Cat Society would get up and use their legs instead of surmising as to what they think may have killed the animal ... "
Click here to read the news story on the Talsarn attack in the BBC News Online Archive.
Phil recalls a sighting:
"I saw the big cat when I was in my dad's car, when we were pulled up at a garage my dad got petrol and I sat in the car. Looking outise there is a wood just in front of the garage and that's where I saw it. It had a big body and powerful back legs, it looked a bit like a puma but too big to be. When my dad came back he didn't believe me ..."
Leighton from Neath recalls a sighting of a lynx:
"It was in 1989, I was out on the mountains between Glyncorrwg and the Rhondda with my brother, when after walking around a bend a Lynx walked out from the trees, took one look at us and returned from where it came. This was late afternoon on a sunny August. No hysteria (as suggested by Mr Lee Jones MSc (Ecology). Just a positive sighting by me!"
Bob from the Rhondda has seen a big cat:
"I was going down the mountain with my friend Dau Luff and we saw a massive black figure heading towards the forest. It made a big growling noise exactly like a panther. We headed a bit closer and it was huge. After a while it eventually ran into the forest, it was very fast."
Andrew from Port Talbot sees a big cat on a monthly basis:
"I have seen a large cat myself, but I am not able to say where, because this cat comes to visit at least twice a month. I have a hide where I sit to watch badgers - yes he comes to a badger set. It is a large set. Several years ago a well know tv company came to set up for a whole weekend but the cat did not show. When they left on the Sunday evening, I stayed behind with a friend of mine and a hour later he turned up ... The head warden and myself would love to be able to show others but we have to think of the set first because badger bating is still on the increase in Wales."
Charles from Llanelli has seen a big cat:
"I saw a big black cat 17 years ago near Llanddowror. It was crossing the road in front of the car. My family saw it too."
Jay of Bilbury says:
"If they do prove that there are big cats killing the sheep and livestock, how about setting up a fund for the farmer to prevent them killing the animal's to prevent future losses?"
Ian from Truro, Cornwall offers his advice and assistance:
"I am a professional tracker and commissioned to respond to cat sightings to verify information, prints, sign and obtain direction of travel etc. I can confirm that I have verified several large cat prints. If anyone has a sighting please contact me (ian@aerohawk.co.uk) so that I can either advise you how to obtain evidence or attend personally."
John from Hereford responds to Ian's email:
"I sympathise with Ian's loss but am pleased to read he has decided not to take matters into his own hands.
"The issue is taken seriously despite the perceived and apparent lack of interest by the authorities, the fact that dogs have been taken as prey does not mean there is an increased risk to humans from these cats - other than the chance of further encounters.
"The job of removing exotic cats from the countryside is not one that is easy or without risk - it should therefore be left to professionals who know what they are dealing with and how to act."
Chris from Rhondda backs up what K and L have to say:
"My friend K has already written to you about a big cat sighting in the Rhondda area. In this he mentions his friend L, well I and L were with him on the night of the sighting. We were walking up a street in the Tynewydd area when we could hear these sounds, we looked up and something big and black, chasing a sheep off a bank. We thought it was a dog or a fox or something but the noises were loud and sounded like a cat, a big cat roar like you hear at the zoo and on documentaries. When we heard this we thought and concluded it was a big cat. There has also been many other sightings in the Rhondda area."
K and L from Rhondda reckon they have seen a black cat:
"It was about 10.30 pm on a Saturday and we were walking up some street. We looked up at this un-used scrap yard and saw a sheep being forced off a big bank by a very large black animal, in full stretch diving after it. We thought it as a dog but then after it there were two loud cat noises heard from the place. We had no doubt it came from a black panther."
John from Aberafan has an idea of where the big cats come from:
"I have always had an idea of where the big cats came from. About fifty years ago when I was a young boy a traveling show came to Aberafan beach with caged animals for example puma's, linx, bob cats, panthers. These animals were starving and in poor condition and the owner faced prosecution for neglect of these big cats. "When officials went to serve notice on the man there were no animals in the cages. The mans story was that he had sold the animals but could not produce anything to prove this. Now did he take his animals up into the mountains around Aberafan and set them free to avoid the cost of feeding them and the impending court costs and fines for animal cruelty?
"In about 1978 I was working the night shift in Margam Steel, part of my job was driving a JCB around the inner dock basin. Near the transporter cranes a large cat walked across the road, I switched on my spotlight and the cat stopped. I had a good view, it was very like a linx; a friend of mine who worked in the oil farm also reported this animal as it stood in the doorway of the pump house at the oil farm. At this time dead sheep were found around the works, partly eaten stray sheep were everywhere throughout the works."
Simon of Neath is sure that he has seen a big cat:
"About five years ago, I was driving at speed down the mountain, near the colliery where I work. It was late evening and a huge black animal in the middle of the road caused me to slam on. Although it was fairly dark I was able to get a pretty good look and it was without a doubt a big cat. Bigger than an alsatian and completely black, his shoulders were up high and his head down low, and despite being dazzled by the lights of the landrover, he was still very agile, dashing off with great speed and stealth."
Brenda of Lincolnshire has this to say:
"Come on, why be frightened of these cats? They would have to be extremly hungry or injured to bother attacking a human. If they come into contact with us it's accidental. As for attacking dogs these are few, quite simply because they don't need to. There's plenty of wildlife as a food source. Such attacks are most likely to have been carried out by youngsters and are due to inexperience."
Griff Evans of Cardiff believes there are big cats out there:
"I spent ten years living in Africa and need no convincing that big cats are thriving in Wales. The area to the immediate North of Llangadog, Carmarthenshire is perfect big cat country: the forestry blocks and oak woodland provide cover; the sheep roaming the hills are an accessible food source and the local population is small and relatively widely distributed. I would love to see one myself but have not yet despite having walked the hills for some ten years now."
The Exotic Cat Group at Swansea University has contacted us with their response to the Llangadog incident:
"The whippet Peter was attacked inside a securely fenced enclosure by a large predator that approached from behind its right shoulder and bit deeply into its throat. Its injuries are fully consistent with the style of attack used by leopards, as documented on film and in the scientific literature. In all probability, the hairs identified as 'dog' which may have been the dog's own, and a couple of others provisionally idenitified as 'badger' were present in the dog's mouth prior to the attack that caused its death."
John from Hereford has sent us this email after reading what Anne has to say:
"The CSL are considered a centre of excellence and would have been authorised to do this analytical investigation, and the IMHO would have the expertise and apparatus required to ensure a forensic chain of evidence from site of incident to lab. via the Police who are trained in exactly this - gathering evidence. Ok, the result is not conclusive of leopard from the DNA but - this is a big step forward from the ADAS investigation on Bodmin Moor believe me!
"...The buck for exotic species research stops with the CSL where they impinge on DEFRA's remit - hence the obvious choice of the CSL to do this sensitive analysis, the result may be disappointing for many but I don't think we can fault the analysts in this case."
Anne from Carmarthen has contacted us after the DNA test results were released:
"Odd isn't it that the wonderful science of DNA, which has recently given enough evidence to convict a dead person of a murder commited years ago, can come up with a 'definitely not a panther' but it 'could be' badgers or another dog that killed the whippet...Who did the DNA tests? What experience of big cats did they have?
"...I agree with Mrs Davies from the West Wales Cat Group that it would indeed suit many including DEFRA to have this matter continually swept under the carpet...
"What was fascinating about the latest episode was the speed in which cat 'experts' came rushing into the area...Did anyone bother to check out exactly what these people actually knew? How they were trained?...The people who know most about the cats behaviour in the area concerned are those who live here, and are working quietly without the need for their moment of fame...the people involved need the government to back them and help them..."
A Welsh helicopter pilot has contacted us:
"I am a helicopter pilot flying over Wales on a regular basis. Approximately 12 years ago I was flying with with a colleague. We were approximately 7 miles North West of Rhyader, when we both noticed what we now believe to be a lynx strolling across the mountainside. We slowed down a bit, the lynx ran for a half mile or so down one of the valleys. At that period of time there were lots of reports of sheep and animals being attacked in the area."
Phil has contacted us with this sighting:
"About 10 years ago I was living in the Peak District. My friend and I were travelling back to Tideswell ... I spotted a large black cat just sitting on the grass at the side of the road. I couldn't believe my eyes. Oddly my friend didn't see it, I made him turn the car round but when we returned the cat had gone. I promptly called the Bakewell police and they told me not to worry as they had several sightings of the cat every year."
Chris from Newport recalls an event two decades ago:
"Some 20 years ago I lived in Pontarddulais, and regularly fished at the reservoir in Furnace near Llanelli. One spring morning at about 5 am I was sitting at the waterside. The reservoir was shrouded in a thick mist that settled on the water and I could see above it. As the mist started to lift I could make out cattle drinking on the far bank and saw what I thought was a Labrador type dog taking a drink. It was sandy coloured and was crouching down on all fours much like a cat.
"As the mist lifted I was struck by the physical appearance of this animal. It's colouring was sandy but also quite dark at the neck and face, its body was deep at the chest and it had a sag in the tummy area. It's legs were strong looking and it walked with a definite roll of the shoulders. After some time it turned and looked at me, then ambled away. When it came to the foot of the hill it encoutered a fence and with no effort at all it leapt - from a standing position - over the fence and out of sight. I reported the sighting and fished there many times after but never saw this beaty again. All I hope is that these animals never harm a person or they will be hunted and persecuted."
Paul from Worcester wonders how long it will be before the Big Cats become accepted - and protected:
"I believe big cats exist, live, and are breeding within the British countryside. I have never seen one, but would be over the moon if I did. I am not a sceptic because I believe that so much valid information exists to make this a certainty rather than speculation.
"However, my question is this -how long will it be before these wild cats, (panthers, pumas, etc) become a part of the UK list of 'naturalised' wild animals and are protected from hunters. Recent news has said that police marksmen are patrolling (where there are)sightings. This cannot be a good thing to have happen.The next thing to happen will be armed 'vigilantes' hunting anything that so much as breathes heavily within the woods.
"Dare I suggest that having been wild in our countryside for some forty years or more the wild cat has developed a part to play within our eco-system and deserves to have some protection?"
R Mathias from Neath is convinced such animals could survive and breed, just like other introduced species:
"I have not personally seen any evidence of big cats in my area, but I know a lot of people who have. Going back twenty years there were reported sightings of panther-like animals in the nearby village of Tonmawr.
I also know people working for the Forestry Commission who have regularly sighted lynx. A very good friend of mine told me that he definitely saw a lynx up in Tonmawr, but never talks about it because people may disbelieve him. I was also speaking the other day to a former teacher of mine about the panther in Carmarthenshire, and she told me that she had definitely seen a Puma on the mountain in Pontrhydyfen. She told me that it growled at her from a distance of about 30 metres, she backed away slowly and the animal ran off. This lady was a biology teacher, and had a vast knowledge of wildlife.""Yes! I certainly think there is non-native wildlife out in our countryside, and these animals have been breeding successfully over the years. In the past alien species were often rodents like the grey squirrel, brown rat - and we all know how fast they can breed.
"The distribution of animals like puma, leopard, lynx, or panther would be at a much slower rate, and therefore sightings would be rare.
"Much of the countryside of Wales, Scotland and England would be perfect habitat for these creatures, and the sooner somebody comes up with proof the better."
Bill from Swansea has taken some pictures that might be Big Cat claw marks...
"I have created a web-page containing photographs of large scratch marks or claw marks seen on the standing stone at Grid Ref SN8547 2150.
"The claw marks were first sighted on Saturday 11 Jan 2003. A second visit was made to photograph the marks with some scale in the photo. They are on my website at this address: www.graigroad.demon.co.uk/cefncul.htm".
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Carolyn from Carmarthen suggests its time to focus on the real threat to humans - other humans...
"I don't know why people are worried about the 'big cats'! Until a few hundred years ago there were bears and wolves in Britain and I'm sure people weren't panicking then. I think the police should tranquilise them rather than have a shoot to kill policy.
"Anyway, our worst enemy is not the cats, but our own kind - how many cats do you hear of killing humans compared to the total of humans murdering other humans?"
Bob from Bryncoch asks how the 'big cats' can possibly survive life in the combined glare of public, police and press:
"With the number of so-called 'experts', cat-spotters, police, BBC camera crews, conspiracy theorists, farmers etc wandering the wilds of Wales it's a wonder the poor old creatures ever have peace to live, breed and survive.
"I just wonder how Dyfed-Powys police can justify the money spent on the operation to install armed officers at Llangadog recently - one half chewed dog does not constitute a grave threat to the public, as shown by the fact that the 'big cat' (whatever it was) didn't attack the farmer, and that no big cat has attacked a human in Wales, despite there apparently being a couple of generations of them about."
Gavin from Swansea is concerned by the possibility of people roaming the hills with shotguns:
"Having a constant armed team in the Carmarthenshire area is gung-ho to say the least. Have any of these cats approached let alone attacked a human being, barring an alledged attack in the Forest of Dean?
"These rare and fantastic animals will run a mile in the presence of humans and cause us no danger. Swap the rifles for tranquilisers and deal with them sensibly. That's if they can be found..."
Ian, who says his dog was killed by a big cat, is glad the police are taking the matter seriously:
"So the big cats are back and at last the police are treating it seriously, I have contacted you before after my dog was killed by a big cat, confirmed by the tracking expert Tom Brown.
"When I reported the matter to the police they told me to "shoot it" and left me and my family to get on with it. I am now going to take this matter up with my MP.
"Suddenly we have police marksmen all over the place, yet when my dog was killed and we had a close encounter with the cat they did nothing - why?"
Linda from Humberside tells of an encounter in the snow:
"Three members of my family plus my son's friend all watched a black panther hunt and kill a rabbit in the snow on the edge of woods near Caistor, Lincolnshire, in 1997. It was without doubt a big cat. No way was it a big dog. Totally different shape and really long tail.
"Our car had got stuck in the snow and we were trying to turn round and go back when we watched it for a couple of minutes. My son unbelievably saw another one two years ago walking along the grass verge along the road on the outskirts of Appleby, Lincolnshire. It was late at night. It crossed the road as his car approached. He pulled up alongside it. It just casually looked at him and carried on walking unperturbed, until it came to the entrance to a farm, where it turned in and disappeared. He rang the police to report it, but they didn't want to know."
Alyson from Swansea has waited a long time to tell her story:
"Now is the time I can say this with a chance that people won't think I'm crazy. But there was a big black cat spotted by me and others at fields in Llannon, we were close enough to tell that this was no normal size kitty... The cat must have seen us first and decided to make a dash for it but it wasn't quite fast enough. This happened about five years ago."
Ron from Colorado Springs, USA, reflects on how large roaming creatures are commonplace over the Atlantic:
"I am from the UK, retired to the US. It makes a change to hear that some animal, exotic and wild has managed to establish itself in the wilder regions of UK. Here in Colorado Springs several large wild animals roam at will. In one area nearby there is a notice which says, to the effect "...keep dustbin lids on tight to discourage bears ..."
"Needless to say we did not purchase a house in that part of town."
Paul from Llanelli tells us about the Surrey Puma and what he thinks of the current sightings:
"In the 1960s I lived beside Witley Common in Surrey. There had been so many sightings of the Surrey Puma that a sergeant at Godalming Police Station had been appointed as the Puma Officer. One night I was cleaning my teeth before going to bed at about 11o'clock. I have had cats all my life and know most of their calls. I heard a very loud "Come and see what I have caught, I am a great hunter." call.
"I phoned the sergeant, who came out. We trekked onto the common, and after about 200 yards I asked what we would do if we actualy found the Puma. The sergeant then decided that we should go back to the house and have a cup of tea. Diana Dors lived nearby and the local gossip was that she had a puma as a pet and had released it when it grew large.
"Witley Common was used as barracks in both World Wars by the Canadians waiting to cross to Europe. It was (and probably still is) covered by slit trenches and man-made caves where a puma could live undiscovered."
Terry from Bristol thinks that the problem is real - and Europe-wide:
"There is, in my opinion, absolutely no doubt that large cats exist in the UK countryside and that other countries in Europe and beyond have similar problems. I began looking into sightings of pumas back in 1973 as a complete skeptic but by 1978 changed my mind, having talked to police officers, farmers and many others and also having seen evidence for myself. In 1995 I set up the Exotic Animals Register (EAR). This group and I are listed on the Police National Computer and advise/work with police forces, RSPCA and others in strict confidence.
"2003 sees a specialist paper I have produced, known as THE RED PAPER, go to a limited number of bodies including DEFRA. The paper cites facts and data that are the summation of almost thirty years work. I endorse Professor Alayne Perrott as about the only qualified person on the subject in Wales and her matter-of-fact statements are to be commended."
Professor Alayne Perrott from the University of Wales Swansea Exotic Cat Group lets us in on the experts' verdict of the latest developments:
"Despite early reports in the media, the cats seen near Llangadog appear to be a black panther (leopard) mother and cub. They don't appear to represent a serious danger to humans and have now moved out of the area. The police operation has been wound down.
"Initial concern about this incident stemmed from the fact that the original eyewitness encountered the cats eating a dog in an enclosed space outside an isolated cottage. However, they did not at any time exhibit seriously threatening behaviour. The police are not equipped to use anaesthetic dart guns and in fact never came close enough to the cats to do so. However, the officer in charge has extensive experience of past operations at Pontrhydfendigaid and takes a very sensible and realistic attitude to the existence of the cats.
"If you have had an encounter with a 'big cat' in Wales and wish to contribute to our study at the University of Wales Swansea, please ring the Exotic Cat Group on 0786-699-5809 (9am - 9pm). We keep all individual reports confidential."
Nigel from Rutland is tired of the same old Government responses:
"We are following the Wales big cat developments with interest in the Midlands and find that the response from DEFRA is the same pathetic line. Now they say that maybe there is a cat but it's just a one off. Wake up!!"
Check out the early verdicts on the Big Cat mystery in our Big Cat archive by clicking here.
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