This summer’s series of heatwaves may be behind the recent surge in UK ‘big cat’ sightings, according to a Gloucestershire expert.
Over the past three months, reports of large feline creatures have emerged across the South West, including Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Bristol and Cornwall. One particularly alarming encounter occurred on 18 August near Northampton’s Ryehill area, where a mother described being “terrified” after spotting a large black animal with a long tail - thought by some to resemble a panther - just metres from her home as she took out the bins.
Frank Tunbridge, a Gloucester-based enthusiast who regularly fields such reports, believes the extreme heat and drought have altered the behaviour of these elusive predators, prompting more frequent and bolder appearances.
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“These big cats are usually highly secretive, and sightings depend on being in the right place at the right time,” Tunbridge explained. “But intense weather events like this summer’s heatwave can disrupt their usual habits. They seem to be venturing further from their normal habitats, especially in search of water, which brings them into closer contact with people, particularly across the South West and Wales.”
He noted similar patterns during previous hot spells, recalling numerous sightings near water sources such as garden ponds and cattle troughs. On one occasion, a big cat was reportedly seen drinking from a constantly flowing spring at Robinswood Hill Country Park. Years ago, reports even came from a Gloucestershire school pond.
Tunbridge also highlights the rise in the UK’s deer population as a key factor in the increase in big cat reports. “Their primary prey includes small deer species such as muntjac and roe. Where deer populations thrive, so too do these cats. With deer numbers higher than ever, it’s natural that sightings would increase. Typically, deer drink at dawn and dusk, which aligns with when most big cat sightings occur. These cats also hunt small mammals, rabbits and ground-nesting birds, acting as a stealthy large predator that may help control the deer numbers following the absence of wolves and lynxes in Britain.”
However, podcast host Rick Minter, known for his Big Cat Conversations series, expressed scepticism about the impact of the weather on sightings. He argues that hotter conditions would usually cause these animals to seek cover rather than venture out. “Most reports happen at dawn, dusk, or night when car headlights catch their eyes,” Minter said. “The hot summers we’ve had recently don’t seem to have influenced sightings significantly.”
Minter acknowledges that drought conditions could influence where big cats choose to roam, with animals favouring reliable water sources like springs which also attract deer - prime spots for ambush. He also mentioned gamekeepers observing evidence of big cats near cattle troughs and natural springs.
Guests featured on Minter’s podcast include local Gloucestershire residents such as artist Robin Baker, who claims to have witnessed three big cat encounters in the Forest of Dean area.
As debate continues, the question of whether these mysterious big cats truly roam the British countryside remains open, but what is clear is that this summer’s weather and ecological factors could be influencing their presence and behaviours more than before.