The Beast of Bodmin Moor

Since 1983, residents of Cornwall have reported sightings of a large black cat on Bodmin Moor. The Beast of Bodmin has become one of Britain’s most famous phantom cat legends, with hundreds of sightings and occasional livestock kills.

The Sightings

Witnesses describe a large black cat, similar in size to a panther or puma. It is typically seen at dusk or dawn, crossing roads or stalking across open moorland. Some witnesses have photographed or filmed the creature.

Evidence

Livestock have been found dead with wounds consistent with big cat attacks. Plaster casts of large paw prints have been made. In 1995, a skull found on the moor was identified as a leopard’s, though it was later determined to have come from an imported leopard-skin rug.

The Official Investigation

In 1995, the government commissioned a study that concluded there was no verifiable evidence of big cats on Bodmin Moor. However, the report noted it was impossible to prove a negative, and sightings have continued.

Possible Origins

If big cats do exist on the moor, they likely descend from exotic pets released or escaped when the Dangerous Wild Animals Act of 1976 made keeping them difficult. A breeding population could have established itself in the remote landscape.

Assessment

The Beast of Bodmin is part of a broader phenomenon of phantom cats reported across Britain. Whether a real population of exotic cats, misidentified dogs and domestic cats, or something stranger, the Beast has become an integral part of Cornish folklore.