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.
Big cat sightings in and around Suffolk
Latest News
- Another muntjac carcass showing evidence of a big cat kill – this one’s from near WalberswickA relative sent me these two photos (above) of a muntjac carcass they found on the Dunwich to Walberswick coastal path (now the King Charles III Coastal Path) in the Suffolk coast on the morning…
Another muntjac carcass showing evidence of a big cat kill – this one’s from near Walberswick
Photos: Copyright ©️ Luke Reilly, used with his permission A relative…
Photos of multiple big cat kills from Orford Ness from 2006
One of a series of photos sent anonymously to me, showing…
Online map of Suffolk big cat sightings added
There’s now a regularly updated online map showing…
Big Cat Coversations – Suffolk born and bred – the people and the panthers
The recently recorded Big Cat Coversations podcast, Episode 139, is a Suffolk special titled “Suffolk…
Mystery Animals of Suffolk at Suffolk Day Book Fair, Eye, 21 June 2026
I have a stall at the Suffolk Day Book Fair on Sunday 21 June (yes,…
The woodwoses and wildmen of Suffolk – a talk for Dunwich Museum, now online
My talk on the woodwoses and wildmen of Suffolk for Dunwich Museum from October 2026…