A woman and her partner were captivated by the unexpected sight of a big cat strolling along a brook in the Gloucestershire village of Shurdington. Unbothered by their presence, the majestic creature calmly moved through the undergrowth, leaving a lasting impression on the witnesses.
On June 10, the couple spotted the large black cat walking beside a brook before it moved across a field in the direction of Crickley Hill. Initially mistaking it for a sheepdog, the woman soon realized the animal was much slimmer and unlike any dog she had seen. Describing it as bigger than a fox but much thinner, she noted its long, curled black tail and sleek body, reminiscent of a lurcher’s size.
“We watched it through a gap in the hedge by Dark Lane. It just wandered off towards Crickley Hill about 200 meters away where the public footpath runs through,” she recounted. “We’re regular walkers around here, so we’ll definitely be keeping our eyes open now. The deer population is quite high at the moment, and seeing this big cat made me remember another eerie experience from last year involving a deer leg hanging in a tree.”
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Regrettably, the couple didn’t capture any photos or videos, caught up as they were in the awe of the moment. They contacted Frank Tunbridge, a big cat enthusiast and wildlife expert based in Podsmead, for his insights. Frank estimates there could be around 400 big cats living wild across the UK and has noted previous sightings near Cheltenham.
Frank explained, “Reports come in weekly from various rural and even some urban areas across the country. These big cats tend to hunt small deer, which have become widespread in parks, gardens, and allotments. The lady’s sighting near Crickley Hill fits the pattern perfectly.”
The elusive nature of these animals means they often go unnoticed, and witnesses rarely capture images due to being mesmerized by the encounter. “You just have to be in the right place at the right time,” Frank added, “and then you might bump into one of Britain’s secretive big cats.”