Gloucestershire has long been a hotspot for mysterious ‘big cat’ sightings, with numerous reports surfacing over recent years. While many witnesses have been too frightened or the creatures too swift to capture clear images, a few courageous individuals have managed to film these elusive felines in action across the county’s countryside.
In one notable account, a woman walking her dog near a canal path in Stroud froze in fear upon spotting a big cat observing her from the bank. Carefully, she picked up her dog and retreated peacefully, a scene echoed by many who have encountered these strange visitors but lacked the chance to document them.
Among the rare and intriguing footage, three stand out as clear examples of Gloucestershire’s big cat mystery:
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November 2024 – Midday Sports Field Sighting
During a busy weekend sports game, a man witnessed a large cat casually strolling beside a field adjacent to the game, eventually disappearing into nearby woods while curiously observing the activity on the green. Though his video footage is grainy, he estimated the creature’s size to be comparable to a Labrador dog. He described the animal’s movement as too fluid and purposeful for a domestic cat, describing it as clearly “a large cat.” After some hesitation, he shared the footage with friends, sparking debates about whether it was a true big cat or an unusually large domestic feline.
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March 2023 – Forest of Dean ‘Panther’ Along A40
A visiting couple recorded what they believed to be a big cat in a field adjacent to the A40 near the Forest of Dean. The dark, sleek animal, resembling a panther, was estimated to be the size of a large dog but notably longer. Frank Tunbridge, a local wildlife expert with six decades of experience, reviewed the video and affirmed that evidence supporting the existence of big cats roaming Britain has become overwhelming. Tunbridge detailed how these wild cats likely descend from exotic pets released into the wild following the Dangerous Animals Act of 1976. The thriving big cats have adapted, bred, and established themselves as part of Britain’s evolving wildlife landscape.
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May 2021 – Gloucestershire Fishing Lake Encounter
At Haresfield fisheries, a group of anglers observed a sizeable cat casually walking along a hedge line. Paul Johnson, who caught the sighting on camera, estimated the animal to be nearly a meter long. The creature appeared relaxed, sitting near the hedgerow for ten minutes before fading away down a track. Johnson expressed no fear but acknowledged the rare nature of the encounter. The location, rich in water and rabbit prey, offers an ideal habitat for these predators.
Despite skepticism, these sightings, combined with scratch marks, droppings, hair samples, and other evidence, paint a compelling picture of big cats quietly inhabiting Gloucestershire’s wild spaces. For decades, stories circulated of exotic pets released into the countryside, now evolving into a sustained, elusive presence that fascinates and mystifies locals and experts alike.