Big cat sightings map as panther legend grows

The scientific case for 'panthers' on the prowl in Worcestershire continues to gather momentum as DNA evidence confirms big cats, specifically leopards, are on the loose in Britain.

Strands of hair belonging to a leopard species Panthera Pardus have already been found on a barbed wire fence at a farm in neighbouring Gloucestershire following an attack on a sheep in 2022.

Meanwhile, more genetic traces of the muscular predators have been found in Cumbria, confirmed in tests by a university professor. 

The shocking sightings of large leopard-like cats have been reported as recently as this year in Harvington, near Evesham and others date back 20 years.

Many of these encounters are in Worcestershire's wildest tracts of country. However, not all are in remote areas with one dog walker describing how she fled a Worcester nature reserve with her two powerful dogs, one of which was bred to fight wolves. 

Data on the sightings is sourced from the Evesham and Villages Big Cat Group and the information has been used to compile this interactive map.

POWERFUL: One of two muscular dogs scared off by a growling creature inside Gorse Hill and Elbury Mount Local Nature Reserve in Worcester (Image: Supplied by dog’s owner) What is surprising is how widespread the sightings are, many in the county's wild hinterland but there have also been close encounters with a 'growling' creature in a nature reserve close to homes in Worcester - the Gorse Hill and Elbury Mount Local Nature Reserve - close to both Warndon and Tolladine.

There have been yet more sightings on the Worcestershire Gloucestershire border of both a 'panther' and a 'lynx'-like creature but as these are at an undisclosed location they are not displayed on the map.

WILD: The nature reserve at Gorse Hill in Worcester is wild and overgrown with plenty of hiding places for all manner of creatures  (Image: James Connell/Newsquest) Possible sightings have now been noted in Harvington (this year), Gorse Hill reserve, Aldington (between Offenham and Badsey), near Kidderminster, near The Walshes in Stourport, Upton Snodsbury, Powick, Madresfield, the Lenchford Inn at Shrawley, Bewdley, Bentley (near Bromsgrove) and Stoke Prior.

Other evidence includes the carcasses of mauled sheep, possibly preyed upon by a large predator.

Most compelling of all is DNA evidence which indicates, despite the naysaying of sceptics, that leopards are living wild in parts of Britain.

FOUNDER: Mandy Acres, founder of the Evesham and Villages Big Cat Group, says 'even though it (DNA) is proof you will still have the non-believers try to explain away as it's been planted etc' (Image: Supplied)

In October last year, Cumbrian resident Sharon Larkin-Snowden took swabs from a sheep carcass and the sample was sent for tests at the University of Warwick, 

Professor Robin Allanby of the University of Warwick said: “We spent those 13 years continually disappointing Rick Minter — who has long been involved in tracking sightings of big cats and trying to assemble evidence of their existence in the UK — with identifications of fox or dog. Until, that is, this sample from the Lake District in October last year.

"In this case, the DNA sequence is 100 per cent unequivocally of the Panthera genus,” Dr Allaby told The Telegraph.

“This means that while the sequence is almost identical to panther (Panthera pardus), there is this one base difference which means scientifically that we must restrict ourselves to calling it as Panthera genus rather than the specific species.

“I find the data we have quite convincing. I’m 99 per cent plus persuaded that our hit is genuine from a panther in Cumbria. What do I think ate the sheep? Panthera pardus, a panther.

“I can understand that some would want more evidence before they are persuaded,” he said. “To build legitimacy, I think the obvious thing we need is more data.

“When we have enough samples, I would look to do much deeper sequencing – not just short sections of DNA but whole genomes if possible,” he said.