Numerous reports were made in Isle of Wight newspapers of sightings of big cats in September 1983.
A supposed sighting of what was described as a ‘puma’ was made by a Leslie Jelley of Yarmouth. The feline was spotted near America Woods in Shanklin. Its colour was described as being black and grey. Mr Jelley was convinced that the large animal he had just seen could not have been either a large cat or a fox.
Earlier in the month, electronics engineer Danny Hughes of Ryde claimed to have observed an animal the size of an Alsatian dog – which resembled a puma – at a nearby location in Upper Hyde for several minutes. Police investigated his claims but could find no conclusive evidence of the presence of big cats in the area.
Further sightings of supposed ‘pumas’ had been made during the same month at Apse Heath and Ashey.
Over 110 sightings of big cats were recorded on the Island in the early 1980s. 2 farmers reported sheep killed by what they believed to have been the elusive creatures. This led to the visit of big cat expert Di Francis to the Island in the hope of tracking down the elusive animals.
Sightings have continued into the present century. In April 2002, what was described as ‘a small black leopard’ was caught on film near Chequers Inn near Rookley by sisters Rachael Dethridge and Beverly Futers.
In 2017, Island Echo published an April Fools story about a big cat being spotted at Firestone Copse, which fooled some.
The most recent report of a mysterious feline roaming the Isle of Wight countryside came in February 2021 when what was described as a ‘black panther’ was spotted at Lynbottom Tip near Newport as reported by Island Echo.
I am quite certain that I saw a”Jaguar “ in Litten car park last night, I was getting my phone out to take a photo but it gave a roar and disappeared out of the entrance.
When my Japanese neice runs in and slams the door saying in broken English.. it is big…big cat..very big ..after something ran past her, I think I believe there has been a large feline living over here.
I was told not to advertise it as everyone with a dog and cat would be in danger from half the south east rifle owners.
I definitely saw one cross the path in front of me about 40 years ago. It was beautiful.
take more water with it
Well Dougal, It could have been a small cat, but very near.
I was travelling in a car at Hartley Whitney and saw it in my headlights it had green eyes and if also jumped over my friends 12ft garden wall in Broad daylight at Odiham Hants and her baby was alone sat on a rug ìn the garden at the time and it looked at it and then jumped back over the wall..this is the late 1970s….Talk about a lucky escape
Must have been a really ugly baby…
I saw a black Jaguar in Lake engine sounded noisy!
This story is repeated in almost every town and city across the uk for the last few decades, In every case eye witness accounts see big cats and yet one is never found.
Island Echo are you going to do a follow up on this story as it has stirred some interest.? There’s a lot of people commented saying they’ve seen the big cat.
It would be interesting to know the approach of the police if a genuine sighting occurred and either there was or was not a risk to life.?
Who would attend.? Armed police.? Or would a vet or the zoo be called with a dart gun.?
It would also be interesting to ask the isle of wight zoo if they have ever had any escapes during the time they have been operating.?
Which department in the UK issues licences to keep exotic pets.? It would be interesting if they had any records going back to the 1980s to see if any big cats were kept as pets on the island, or in the UK.?
can only happen on this island big cat what a load of crap i see a pink hippo in Ryde pond about the same time it run into the sea before got a photo it was so fast and it had 6 legs