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
- Photos of a big cat in Suffolk? From near Eye, April 2025Two photos of a possible melanistic leopard seen near Eye. The copyright holder is known to me. I was sent these two photos on 23 April 2025 by a witness near Eye in North…
Photos of a big cat in Suffolk? From near Eye, April 2025
Two photos of a possible melanistic leopard seen near Eye. The copyright holder is…
Talk at Moyse’s Hall Museum, Bury St Edmunds – report
I had a successful talk in the spectacular 12th-century building that is Moyse’s Hall Museum…
Map of recent reports of big cat sightings in Suffolk – June 2024-February 2025
This is my map of recent big cat sightings in Suffolk (one in Norfolk and…
More black leopards, fewer pumas again – data from big cat reports, July 2024-February 2025
As I prepare for another talk, I’ve taken a look at the data…
Several kill signs from around Suffolk – photos
I RECEIVED photos of seven different suspected big cat kills – three different species of…
Photo of big cat kill from the area around Bildeston, Suffolk
Muntjac killed by big cat, from the area around Bildeston, Suffolk,…