What are the Big Cats?
Big cats have been regularly seen in Suffolk since the early 1970s. They are generally thought to be the descendants of escaped or released exotic big cats – melanistic (black) leopards, pumas and lynxes – that had been kept as pets. Some could be feral domestic cats that have over the generations grown to a great size.
Evidence
Since 2014 I have been gathering evidence for big cats in Suffolk. This is in the form of testimony from witnesses, media reports, police logs of sightings, big cat footprints, reports of livestock or wildlife showing signs of having been predated on by big cats and other sources. There is also a very limited amount of video footage.
Report a Sighting
Have you seen a big cat, or encountered other evidence – heard sounds that you thought were made by a big cat, seen “field signs” such as footprints or scratch marks, or “kill signs” – signs of possible big cat predation on animal carcasses? Historical sightings you have had, even decades ago, are still of interest.
Phone me or fill in a form online.
Latest News
- Update – reports of big cat sightings, October 2022-June 2024Above is my map of the most recent big cat sightings I have received – mostly via the reporting form of this website since it went live in August 2023. Additionally, there was one report…
Update – reports of big cat sightings, October 2022-June 2024
Above is my map of the most recent big cat sightings I have received –…
The big cats of Suffolk – talk at Dunwich Museum, Saturday 20 July 2024
I am giving a talk on “the big cats of Suffolk” at Dunwich Museum on…
Mystery Animals of Suffolk reviewed in Fortean Times – five stars!
Fortean Times, issue FT443 (April 2024) has a review of Mystery Animals of Suffolk by its deputy…
Woodwoses and wildmen in Butley 24 April, big cats in Dunwich 20 June
I have a talk on The Woodwoses and Wildmen of Suffolk for Orford Museum on Wednesday…
Something interesting caught on a trail cam in Rendlesham
An animal caught on a trail cam in Rendlesham. See below for the mundane explanation….
Yearling muntjac likely predated on by lynx, jungle cat or “wildcat-sized beast”
Spine and pelvis of young muntjac showing signs of predation, with an adult men’s boot…