Mystery Big Cats Resist Capture Despite Thousands of UK Sightings. Approximately 500 sightings annually of brown/tawny puma-like animals in UK Between 2,000-5,000 sightings annually of black panther-like animals in UK No witness has ever reported seeing a normal spotted leopard despite thousands of sightings
Thousands report big cat sightings in UK each year—up to 5,000 black panther-like animals and 500 puma-like—but none have ever been caught. Police hunts, helicopter thermal imaging, tracker dogs, even the massive Shooters Hill Cheetah hunt all failed. Meanwhile, 16 legitimate escaped zoo animals (1977-1998) were recaptured—14 within 24 hours, 2 shot. Why can't they catch the 'phantoms'?
Key Facts
- Approximately 500 sightings annually of brown/tawny puma-like animals in UK
- Between 2,000-5,000 sightings annually of black panther-like animals in UK
- No witness has ever reported seeing a normal spotted leopard despite thousands of sightings
- 16 big cats known to have escaped into wild in UK between 1977-1998: 14 recaptured within 24 hours, 2 shot
- No black panther-type animals have ever been caught despite dozens of police hunts over decades
- Shooters Hill Cheetah hunt in East London was largest on record with hundreds of people, tracker dogs, and police involvement but unsuccessful
- Recent hunts have used helicopters with thermal imaging, farmer vigils, gun club stakeouts, and traps without success
Source: The Strange Topography of Big Cat Sightings | Merrily Harpur | Megalithomania 2007 | Audio Only by MegalithomaniaUK