BCIB Blog has Moved

Due to an excessive workload Katy Jordan is unable to contunue with the blog. We at BCIB thank her for the work that she did for us.We have carried it on at the new address http://bcib.wordpress.com/ so please now do not use this, instead view the new one for up to date news.Many thanks

Sighting of the Week

This remarkable sighting comes from near Lostwithiel, Cornwall, on the edge of Bodmin moor, where the 'Beast of Bodmin' has been sighted many times over the years. It took place around 6.30 pm on the 4th April 2008. Our witness, a local woman who was walking her dog, takes up the story:-"I was walking along the forest path, which is generally deserted, and used mainly by local people. Another

What sparked off your interest in mystery cats in Britain?

My own interest in British big cats was sparked off by tales people told me. I’m a folklorist and collect traditional and new tales about the Wiltshire landscape. Among the accounts of strange experiences people have passed on to me, have been one or two sightings of big black beasts – sometimes clearly cats, sometimes unidentifiable, always inexplicable. I joined BCIB to get access to their

Sighting of the Week

Around 11pm on 18th March 2008, a man observed a very large cat in his garden on Anglesey. He saw the animal for about 20 seconds, long enough to take in a large sandy-coloured cat with pointed ears. The cat was around three feet high sitting upright. The witness relates:-"Whilst coming back from the dustbin I saw the animal sitting next to the wall of the house about 25 feet away. I thought

BCIB 2008 Conference on YouTube

All the talks from this year's BCIB conference are now on YouTube for your viewing pleasure. The theme of the conference was 'Big Cats: what is the evidence?' I went down for the day on Saturday, and for me, the speakers that day who most addressed the question were:-Jon McGowan talking about field signs of big cats in Dorset. Chris Hall talking about big cats in the north-east.Darren Naish who

History Channel in search of British Big Cats

The History Channel will be in search for evidence of British Big Cats as part of their 'Monster Quest' series. They will be filming at the end of March - beginning of April.The search is on for the evidence, video footage, casts, photographs, recordings, eye-witness accounts. Have you seen a big cat in the British countryside? More importantly, have you any evidence?A search for a suitable

Hot off the Press - BCIB Yearbook 2008

Published just in time for the BCIB conference this weekend, this essential volume was selling like hot cakes to delegates. Edited by Mark Fraser and with a foreword by Merrily Harpur (author of another essential volume, Mystery Big Cats), the 2008 yearbook contains a variety of articles by BCIB researchers. But the core of the yearbook is, as ever, the Big Cat Diary: a county-by-county roundup

Sighting of the week (OK, fortnight really)

Leicestershire. Anstey Heights area. Back in September 2007, two friends were out dog walking in fields, when some nearby bushes rustled and a huge jet black cat came out. For one long minute the two people and a dog stared at the cat and the cat stared back. Then the two friends and dog ran to the safety of a nearby alley, and the cat disappeared back into the bushes."The cat was huge, over 5

Sighting of the Week

Northamptonshire, Wellingborough area, 17 Feb 2008, 2.30 p.m. A family of four out for a walk all saw a very large black cat."We were going for a long walk through the fields; the area was deserted and quiet; weather beautiful. I was ahead of my husband and children and had just turned into a gap in the hedgerow to go into the next field, when I noticed a big brown/ black animal about 5m away

Big cats in the media

Some of the media reports of big cat sightings across the country.Could Beast of the Bay be back on the prowl? Whitby Gazette 11/2/08Fishermen claim to have spotted 'puma' on Anglesey. Holyhead & Anglesey Mail, 11/2/08.Big cat encouter leaves John feline concerned. Welwyn & Hatfield Times 13/2/08Farmers fear return of 'Saddleworth Savage'. Oldham Advertiser 13/2/08Mystery of severed leg found