Big Cat Sightings and Encounters
Dark Brown Cat
Location: Colonsay (Argyll and Bute) - Close to a stone dyke
Type: ABC
Date / Time: Cat in 1999, fox in January 2012
Further Comments: In 1999, a couple visiting the island observed a dark brown large cat, much bigger than a wild cat, roughly the size of a collie. Thirteen years later, the body of a fox was discovered on the island, worrying the locals as no foxes have ever been found here.
ID #10929, last updated 2012-06-10
Eaten Calves
Location: Convoy (County Donegal) - Unnamed farm
Type: ABC
Date / Time: October 2012
Further Comments: After two calves found half eaten, fears were expressed that a large cat was on the loose in the area. A local RSPCA inspector said it was unlikely that a dog would be able to cause so much damage to the dead animals.
ID #11149, last updated 2012-10-21
Large Black Cat
Location: Coppull (Lancashire) - Fields south of village
Type: ABC
Date / Time: July 1991, 23:30h
Further Comments: One witness reported seeing a large black cat, like a puma, in this area.
ID #15022, last updated 2023-08-05
Puma
Location: Crawley (Sussex) - Tilgate Forest
Type: ABC
Date / Time: 10 September 1979
Further Comments: A sleek black cat was seen hiding in the forest.
ID #1969, last updated 2002-07-23
Fast Feline
Location: Crostwick (Norfolk) - North Walsham road, Crostwick near Norwich
Type: ABC
Date / Time: February 1996
Further Comments: A large cat quickly ran off after being seen standing around seven metres from a witness.
ID #260, last updated 2000-08-17
Cat or Seal?
Location: Croyde (Devon) - Downend Point
Type: ABC
Date / Time: January 2009
Further Comments: When the decaying remains of a creature the size of a calf with large canine teeth washed up on the beach, many jumped to the conclusion it was the body of the Beast of Exmoor. Later analysis of the carcass suggested it was a seal.
ID #9125, last updated 2009-02-07
Lion
Location: Cuffley (Hertfordshire) - Sutherland Way
Type: ABC
Date / Time: 16 May 1983
Further Comments: Several people, including a policeman, reported seeing a cat resembling a lion or lioness near woodland in the area. Public warnings were issued, and a helicopter dispatched, but no big cat was found.
ID #7031, last updated 2006-11-16
Lion?
Location: Darsham (Suffolk) - Near Little Chef restaurant (currently Two Magpies Bakery)
Type: ABC
Date / Time: 2003
Further Comments: Reported by Big Cats of Suffolk, two witnesses spotted a sandy coloured cat, similar to a lion or Puma, which could be seen sunning itself in the early morning light.
ID #15661, last updated 2024-10-13
Savaged Lambs
Location: Denby Dale (West Yorkshire) - Farms in the area
Type: ABC
Date / Time: Summer 2000
Further Comments: A large cat was blamed for several sheep killings in the area after one farmer watched a big black feline skulking around on his land.
ID #3034, last updated 2002-11-07
Lion?
Location: Denshaw (Greater Manchester) - Between the M62 and Denshaw, along the Saddleworth moor
Type: ABC
Date / Time: 19 January 2009
Further Comments: Driver Helen Morris reported to a local newspaper seeing a large cat in the middle of the road. The creature was described as having a tawny coat and long tail, resembling a lioness.
ID #9120, last updated 2009-02-07
Avenue Stadium - Dorchester's football stadium.
Panther
Location: Dorchester (Dorset) - Field near Dorchester Football Stadium, and Talbothays Road
Type: ABC
Date / Time: August 2007, and 2006
Further Comments: This large black cat, said by the witness to be the size of an Alsatian, was observed for several seconds in 2007. The year previous, another (or the same) black cat was spotted along Talbothays Road.
ID #8926, last updated 2008-09-07
Beast of Exmoor
Location: Drewstone (Somerset) - General area
Type: ABC
Date / Time: 1983
Further Comments: Soldiers used the village as a central marker during their (fruitless) hunt for the beast of Exmoor over the period of a month.
ID #3052, last updated 2002-11-07
Adult Puma
Location: Drigg (Cumbria) - Shore road
Type: ABC
Date / Time: Summer 2005
Further Comments: Out walking her dog, a woman spotted what she thought was an adult puma standing on the roadside. It ran off through a hedgerow after a few seconds. Another person also spotted the creature in the same area.
ID #7141, last updated 2007-03-25
Missing Sheep
Location: Dromara (County Down) - Farms around Dromara and Hillsborough; Hill Road, Ballynahinch Road and Mullaghdrin Road areas
Type: ABC
Date / Time: August / September 2013
Further Comments: A large cat was held accountable for mauling and killing sheep in this area. Police issued a warning for anyone who spotted a large cat to contact them.
ID #11419, last updated 2013-09-22
Panther?
Location: Dunmow (Essex) - Duton Hill
Type: ABC
Date / Time: 2007
Further Comments: A husband and his daughter spotted a panther-like cat while out walking.
ID #10083, last updated 2010-11-14
Puma
Location: Earlston (Borders) - General area
Type: ABC
Date / Time: 1983
Further Comments: Several witnesses reported seeing a large golden cat in the area, though it soon vanished without trace.
ID #3582, last updated 2003-01-15
ABC Footprints
Location: East Mersea (Essex) - Sea wall near Cooper's beach holiday park
Type: ABC
Date / Time: 1996
Further Comments: More than seventeen ABC footprints were found here, each 6 inches across with extended claws. Bearing in mind that cats do not walk with their claws extended, this could well be either a mistake or a fake.
ID #252, last updated 2000-08-17
Big Cat
Location: East Runton (Norfolk) - Railway Embankment
Type: ABC
Date / Time: 19 February 1964
Further Comments: Following reports of a large cat, police combed the area with dogs. No trace of the cat could be found.
ID #710, last updated 2000-08-17
Labrador-Sized Cat
Location: Eastbourne (Sussex) - Faversham Road
Type: ABC
Date / Time: 8 January 2007, 22:30h
Further Comments: Whilst walking his two Yorkshire terriers, John Hescott encountered a large black cat. The feline walked away from a children's play area towards a service road. The sighting was reported to the police.
ID #7102, last updated 2007-02-18
Black Cheetah
Location: Eastbourne (Sussex) - Sevenoaks Road
Type: ABC
Date / Time: 09 April 1990, around 00:00h
Further Comments: A taxi driver spotted a black cat, shaped like a cheetah and larger than a big dog, running across the road.
ID #16092, last updated 2025-09-21
Large Black Cat
Location: Eastbourne (Sussex) - South Downs bordering town
Type: ABC
Date / Time: 1 July 1979
Further Comments: The witness who saw this cat said it was the size of a small pony - he watched it as it passed within three meters of him.
ID #1966, last updated 2002-07-23
Cat on the Wall
Location: Eggington (Bedfordshire) - White House, an old people's home
Type: ABC
Date / Time: October 1995
Further Comments: Seen sitting on the wall several times during October, residents called the police when the large cat looked like it was going to have a faceoff with their pet cat.
ID #2488, last updated 2002-09-28
White Lion
Location: Ellesmere (Shropshire) - Lyneal Mill Cottages
Type: ABC
Date / Time: August 1997
Further Comments: This large albino cat was seen close to the cottages and was reported to resemble a lion. The same area is reportedly haunted by a headless white woman.
ID #2499, last updated 2002-10-01
Big Cats
Location: Elveden (Suffolk) - General area
Type: ABC
Date / Time: April 1985
Further Comments: Elveden residents reported several sightings of a large cat or cats during this month.
ID #727, last updated 2000-08-17
Lynx
Location: Evesham (Worcestershire) - Area around Unipart site, Shinehill Lane
Type: ABC
Date / Time: Spring 2006
Further Comments: A brown, pointed eared cat was spotted on this site by a security guard, the third such sighting at this location.
ID #6867, last updated 2006-05-16
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