Here’s a timeline of notable big cat sightings in the UK:

Late 1700s:

• 1790s: Reports of a large black cat, known as the “Beast of Bodmin,” emerge in the Bodmin Moor area of Cornwall. The creature is said to resemble a panther or puma.

Early 1900s:

• 1904: A mysterious big cat sighting is reported in Dartmoor, Devon. Witnesses describe a large, black, panther-like creature roaming the moors.
• 1905: The “Essex Lion” sighting occurs in Essex, where locals report seeing a lioness roaming the countryside. The sighting sparks a massive search operation, but no conclusive evidence is found.

1960s:

• 1961: The “Surrey Puma” sightings begin in the county of Surrey, with numerous reports of a large, black cat resembling a puma or panther.
• 1968: The “Beast of Exmoor” sightings commence in the Exmoor National Park area of Devon and Somerset. Witnesses report encounters with a large, black cat-like creature prowling the countryside.

1970s:

• 1976: The “Cumbria Panther” sightings occur in the Lake District, where residents report seeing a large, black cat resembling a panther or puma.
• 1977: The “Norfolk Puma” sightings begin in Norfolk, with reports of a large, black cat roaming the countryside.

1980s:

• 1980: The “Fen Tiger” sightings take place in the Cambridgeshire Fens, where witnesses report seeing a large, orange-colored cat resembling a tiger.
• 1982: The “Suffolk Panther” sightings occur in Suffolk, with reports of a large, black cat resembling a panther or puma.

1990s:

• 1995: The “Galloway Puma” sightings begin in Galloway, Scotland, with reports of a large, black cat-like creature roaming the countryside.
• 1997: The “Highland Tiger” sightings occur in the Scottish Highlands, where witnesses report seeing a large, cat-like creature resembling a tiger.

2000s:

• 2009: The “Dartmoor Beast” sightings resurface in Dartmoor, Devon, with reports of a large, black cat resembling a panther or puma.

2010s:

• 2011: The “Gloucestershire Big Cat” sightings occur in Gloucestershire, with reports of a large, black cat-like creature roaming the countryside.
• 2018: The “Surrey Puma” sightings resurface in Surrey, with reports of a large, black cat resembling a puma or panther.

2020s:

• 2021: The “Highland Tiger” sightings continue in the Scottish Highlands, with reports of a large, cat-like creature resembling a tiger.

These sightings represent just a selection of the numerous reports of big cat encounters in the UK over the years, sparking speculation and debate about the existence of large, exotic felines roaming the British countryside.