Most cryptozoologists suggest the animals are escapees from … There has also been a recent substantiation when in August 2000, a boy in South Wales was attacked by a creature resembling a panther. Get the MegaPack collection now for this great price. The word ‘alien’ in this context simply means ‘out of place’. I will also say that Merrily’s theories move into the world of ancient British folklore, and the nature of what reality is (or is not! [20], Since the late 1990s, big cat sightings have been reported in widely separated parts of New Zealand, in both the North[21] and South Islands. Alien Big Cats, known as ABCs, are not cats from outer space. Not everyone is quite so sure that the ABCs are what they appear to be, however. [4][5], There have been some claims that "Big Cats" have stalked the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland since early in the 19th century. Nevertheless, people are clearly seeing something. Eine Alien Big Cat (ABC) (deutsch: fremde Großkatze, auch Phantom-Katze) ist eine so genannte Out-of-place-Sichtung von Großkatzen, das heißt, sie werden angeblich in für sie vollkommen untypischen Gegenden gesichtet.Da es keine stichhaltigen Beweise für ihre Existenz gibt, werden sie den Kryptiden zugeordnet. Border guards participated in the hunt. Through history, cats, especially black cats have held their place firmly in superstition and folklore around the world. It is to the reader’s advantage that Merrily is a skilled writer – the result of which is that even though the book relates the details of numerous Big Cat encounters spanning countless decades, her style is neither boring nor repetitive. ", "Facebook photo reignites debate about mountain lions in Massachusetts", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Phantom_cat&oldid=996367254, Articles with Dutch-language sources (nl), Articles with dead external links from September 2016, Articles with permanently dead external links, Wikipedia articles needing rewrite from May 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2018, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 26 December 2020, at 04:28. In 25 August 1895 an animal believed to be the Tantanoola Tiger was shot by Tom Donovian and identified as an Assyrian wolf; although no such species appears to exist. Sightings, tracks and predation have been reported in a number of countries and states including Canada, Britain, Australia, Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, New Zealand, Finland, Denmark, the United States, Hawaii, Italy and Luxembourg. [9] Since 1903, a number of exotic cats, all of which are thought to have escaped from captivity, have been killed or captured.[10][11][12][13]. [35], The Pogeyan is a large gray feline known to local people living in the Western Ghats, India. [25][26] It may have been illegally brought into Hawaii as a pet and released or allowed to wander in the wild. Tags Alien Big Cats Cryptozoology Taigheirm. It was stuffed and remains on display in the Tantanoola Hotel. In 1995, a big cat usually described as a lion (but sometimes as a lynx) was dubbed the "Beast of Funen" by numerous eyewitnesses. ", "Are the mountain lion sightings in Monterey for real? There’s no doubt that one of the biggest mysteries in the U.K. is that of what have become known as “Alien Big Cats” (“ABCs”). [6][7] These claims have been met with skepticism. Van Pelt and Cunningham believed that the cat was probably a large feline, such as a jaguar, leopard, or cougar. There’s no doubt at all that the U.K. has, over a significant number of decades, … D&D Beyond They are big cats that roam the outback of Australia. [3], The region around Tantanoola, a town in the south-east of South Australia was supposed to have been the stalking ground of The Tantanoola Tiger during the late 19th century. Eudemons are generally friendly, while cacodemons should be avoided at all costs, lest one wishes to see one’s life ruined. So, what is it that people are seeing? The United Kingdom has a long history of sightings of what have become known as Alien Big Cats. Wales has experienced many sightings of large wild alien cats in the wilderness. Instead, they are large cats that look something like black panthers, leopards, African lions, or cougars, but they are seen in Britain. Although some students of the phenomenon have made a connection between the two – with the Big Cat being seen as the modern day equivalent of the Black Dog – the evidence is highly controversial, and the similarities tenuous. British big cats, sometimes referred to as alien big cats (ABCs), phantom cats or mystery cats, are large predatory cats said to be roaming the countryside of the British Isles. Alien Big Cats, also known as Phantom Cats, are animals such as panthers, jaguars, and tigers found in habitats where they don't naturally live and should not exist. Alien Big Cats ( also known as Phantom Cats or shortened to ABCs ) are large cats such as panthers, jaguars and cougars reported to be living wild in countries to which they are not native. There have been reported sightings of what is believed to be a mountain lion in the northern Delaware forests since the late 1990s. Described as possibly 'one of the best pieces of footage of a big cat in the UK' after a military policeman caught pictures on his phone.. Even in Crop Circles. [29], MassWildlife has confirmed two cases of a mountain lion’s presence in Massachusetts. Sightings of “big cats” in the UK are more frequent than a naturalist might expect. Where they come from and how they got there no one knows. This is a truly excellent piece of work that does not shy away from controversy – and, to me, that is a good thing. [31][32], Black panthers and other large "non-indigenous" cats have been sighted for many years in the vicinity of Oriental, NC. ), how we perceive that same reality, and what the presence of the Big Cats really means to us as a species. The idea that the U.K.’s Big Cats are all escapees from private zoos and traveling circuses, is very much an article of faith. In fact, quite the opposite. [7], Since the 1960s, there have been many alleged sightings of big cats across Great Britain. Merrily takes the view that the Alien Big Cats may well have supernatural origins, and she just might be right. [citation needed]. Nick Redfern works full time as a writer, lecturer, and journalist. Theories pertaining to indigenous Big Cats are discussed by Merrily, as are the parallels (and differences) between the Big Cats and the Phantom Black Dogs of British folklore. Alien Big Cats – interesting facts Not all ABCs’ observations can be easily explained. Most sightings are confined to the wildest places, especially swamps. ABCs are not creatures unknown to science but are well-known cats which are sighted in unexpected places. Viele Sichtungen gibt es aus New South Wales in Australien, aus Neuseeland, aber auch gelegentlich aus Mitteleuropa. [30] There have been numerous other reports of sightings, as well as alleged photographs, but these remain unconfirmed by state wildlife officials. Instead, they are large cats that look something like black panthers, leopards, African lions, or cougars, but they are seen in Britain.They are "alien" in the sense that they are not thought to be native to the area. Entities that act as intermediaries between the world of man and the domain of the gods, the Daimons are shape-shifters that can manifest in multiple forms. They have become known as Alien Big Cats, or ABCs. Video footage showing a large black cat near Lithgow was examined by a group of seven zoo, museum, parks and agriculture staff, who concluded that it was a large domestic cat (2–3 times normal size) based partly on its morphology and partly on the behaviour of a nearby normal-sized domestic cat. Interessanterweise sind ein Großteil der beschriebenen Alien Big Cats schwarz, obwohl Schwärzlinge von Großkatzen in der Natur eher selten sind. ALIEN BIG CATS IN BRITAIN Alien Big Cats (ABCs) have been stalking the nation – and our imagination – for 40 years. Collectively, and across the decades, the nation appears to be positively overflowing with such creatures. It would not be fair of me to reveal to those that wish to read Mystery Big Cats for themselves all of the intricacies of Merrily’s theory. Sightings, tracks and predation have been reported in a number of countries and states including Canada, Britain, Australia, Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, New Zealand, Finland, Denmark, the United States, Hawaii, Italy and Luxembourg. They provoke media sensationalism, public interest and concern, and the occasional dismissive comment from government departments. Here are my words on Merrily’s book: This is a publication that is all things: informative, insightful, thought-provoking, and written by someone who has a keen appreciation, awareness and knowledge of her subject matter; as well as a fine understanding of British folklore, history, mythology, and the complex mysteries inherent in the conundrum that has come to be known as the British Big Cat. So what are these mysterious beasts then, and where did they come from? There were multiple sightings. Encounters with the ABCs very often occur in graveyards, in cemeteries, in the vicinity of stone circles, in ancient burial grounds, and at sites of archaeological and historical significance. I can say, however, that this book will likely polarize readers into one of two camps: those that see merit in the theory, and those that are determined to look elsewhere. Accounts from locals and visitors alike have been documented in the local papers. Well, this is where Merrily’s research really comes to the fore. Usually black or tan in color, they are … [16][17][18], In 2005, a black cougar was allegedly spotted on several occasions in a wildlife preserve,[19] but the animal, nicknamed Winnie, was later identified as an unusually large crossbreed between a domestic cat and a wildcat. He writes about a wide range of unsolved mysteries, including Bigfoot, UFOs, the Loch Ness Monster, alien encounters, and government conspiracies. Their memorable names include the Beast of Bodmin, the Surrey Puma, the Chase Panther, the Warrington Lion, and the Beast of Exmoor. The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife believes there may be more than one mountain lion in Delaware, and that they originate from animals released from captivity. Its name is derived from the local dialect, and means "The cat that comes and goes like the mist. [27] Utah State University professor and wildlife biologist Robert Schmidt expressed strong doubts about the cat's existence, likening it to the Loch Ness monster. Nick Redfern April 28, 2019. Phantom cats, also known as Alien Big Cats (ABCs), are large felids, such as jaguars, cougars, and leopards, which allegedly appear in regions outside their indigenous range. Merrily suggests that the ABCs are very likely Daimons. They provoke media sensationalism, public interest and concern, and the occasional dismissive comment from government departments. Speculation about the Blue Mountains Panther includes the theory that it descended from either circus or zoo escapees, or is a descendant of a military mascot. Tracks were identified by a government biologist as a big feline not native to Finland. Some researchers in the field of cryptozoology use the label "alien big cat" to refer to any large feline glimpsed in an environment where it is not supposed to be a native animal. Since the 1760s, when William Cobbett, then a small boy, saw a large cat … The state's hunt for the cat was suspended in late November 2003, after three weeks without sightings. Mysterious Universe is a property of 8th Kind Pty Ltd, Possible Crucifixion Nail Discovered in Czech Republic Monastery, The Cheltenham Haunting and the Mysterious Lady in Black, Mind and Memory: How Strange and Sinister Tales Can Become Massively Distorted, Photo Seemingly Captured a “Ghost Washing the Dishes” in Deceased Man’s Home, Supernatural Alien Big Cats in the U.K., Pt. It is speculated that, if the "blue" genotype ever existed, it is now extinct due to poaching for traditional Chinese medicine. Alien Big Cats: A Huge Skull and a Dangerous “Pet”. Other chapters cover the strange BLOOP and WOW! The Blue Mountains Panther is a phantom cat reported in sightings in the Blue Mountains area, west of Sydney for over a century. Supernatural Alien Big Cats in the U.K., Pt. For decades, sightings have been made all across the U.K. of large, dangerous-looking cats. [24], In December 2002, sightings of a big cat increased in numbers in the Kula (upcountry) area, and the Division of Forestry and Wildlife requested the help of big cat wildlife biologists William van Pelt and Stan Cunningham of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. They have become known as Alien Big Cats, or ABCs. They are supernatural entities that can be malevolent, helpful, manipulative, trickster-like, and even deadly, depending on their type. And Merrily makes this very obvious, too. Collectively, and across the decades, the nation appears to be positively overflowing with such creatures. The New South Wales State Government reported in 2003 that "more likely than not" there was a number of exotic big cats living deep in the bushlands near Sydney. Copyright © Mysterious Universe. The British Big Cats Society has published a report revealing new evidence that the non-native creatures are stalking Britain and that their numbers could be on the rise. Sheep were reportedly slaughtered by it. British Big Cat Sightings and Reports has 2,394 members. Dudley Zoo, less than four miles from Oldbury and home to several species of big cat, said all its animals were accounted for. He writes about a wide range of unsolved mysteries, including Bigfoot, UFOs, the Loch Ness Monster, alien encounters, and government conspiracies. 2, Black-Cat Spirits Versus the Alien Big Cats. Fandom Apps Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. Or, as ABCs. [14], A supposed lion moved around Ruokolahti near the Finnish-Russian border in June–August 1992. The last reported sightings were in Russia, and there were reports that the lion was seen by Finnish border guards,[15] and that lion tracks were found in the raked sand field used by Russian border guards to detect crossings. Merrily adds: “If ABCs are a variety of native British daimon, they have emerged into a landscape brimful of these intermediate beings: pixies, gnomes, boggarts, Herne the Hunter, elves, lake monsters,’white ladies,’ wyrms, and so on”, Tags Alien Big Cats Daimons Merrily Harpur. They are "alien" in the sense that they are not thought to be native to the area. There’s no doubt that one of the biggest mysteries in the U.K. is that of what have become known as “Alien Big Cats” (“ABCs”). For a while it was alleged that a panther had escaped a nearby zoo (Amnéville), but the zoo later denied that any panther was missing. Phantom cats, also known as Alien Big Cats (ABCs), are large felids, such as jaguars, cougars, and leopards, which allegedly appear in regions outside their indigenous range. Most cryptozoologists suggest the animals are escapees from private menageries, circuses, and the descendants of animals that, back in 1976, were let loose into the wilds of the country after the U.K. government changed the laws surrounding the keeping of wild animals. Thus, tigers seen in Africa or American lions or Appalachian Black Panthers would also count as ABCs. For several decades there have been sightings of phantom cats: cat-like creatures that are reportedly far larger than any domestic or wild cat. I’m definitely in the first camp. [8] A 15-month survey conducted in 2003–04 by the British Big Cats Society gave the following regional breakdown, based on 2,052 sightings: South West 21%, South East 16%, East Anglia 12%, Scotland 11%, and West Midlands 9%. [34] When police came, the panther was gone. No big cat was detected by traps, infrared cameras, or professional trackers. Whenever and wherever they are seen, savage mutilations and killings are the norm. [1], In the Gippsland region of southeastern Victoria, American World War II airmen brought cougars with them as mascots and allegedly released them in the Australian bush. Top of the list is Merrily Harpur, the author of Mystery Big Cats – which happens to be one of my favorite books. The report states that 2,123 sightings of big cats were reported between April 2004 and July 2005. Phantom cat sightings in the United States should not be confused with sightings of jaguars in their native range in the states of Arizona and New Mexico while early records of North American jaguars show much wider distribution as far as Monterey, or cougars being sighted recolonizing the extirpated eastern cougar's former range in the Northeastern United States and expanding their range eastward. They are called Alien Big Cats. For decades, sightings have been made all across the U.K. of large, dangerous-looking cats. Sometimes, smaller cats are included in this label as well, as is the case sometimes with sightings of th… "[36], Large felines allegedly appearing in regions outside their natural range, "Report on information available on the reported large black cat in the Blue Mountains", "Men claim evidence of 'panther like' cat in Qld bush", "Big Cat evidence gets stronger, as society calls for government study", "Ruokolahden leijona: Havaintoja salattiin 20 vuotta - Kotimaa - Ilta-Sanomat", "Ruokolahden leijona oli totta - Savon Sanomat", "MAF staff, wildlife experts hunt big black cat in vain", "STATUS REPORT ON THE OLINDA, MAUI MYSTERY CAT", "Are there Mountain Lions in Massachusetts? Indeed, Merrily reveals how, upon rigorous scrutiny, and as a catch-all theory, the scenario quickly falls down. People told of seeing the large cat. One possible explanation could have been a railway accident of a circus train in Russia, where some of the animals escaped. Sightings of large, unidentified black cats across the United Kingdom are not at all uncommon. Sightings of exotic big cats in Australia began more than 100 years ago. Alien Big Cats sind auch aus anderen Teilen der Welt bekannt. In Wales, the Celtic lore surrounding black cats has been no different, and there were many theories and misconceptions associated with fearsome felines. There are more confirmed sightings of the Surrey pumas than some rare species of wild cats in their natural habitat. [2], A study by Deakin University concluded that the existence of big cats in the Grampian mountains range was demonstrated "beyond reasonable doubt". It’s definitely in my Top Ten. Merrily has produced a first-class piece of work that will enlighten, entertain, and lead to much musing and pondering with respect to her conclusions. Alien Big Cats, or ABCs, are not cats from outer space. The lion was never captured and the incidents have never been explained. These sightings are often reported as "panthers", "pumas", or "black cats". PAUL SIEVEKING recalls the big game hunts and puzzling evidence for these shadowy felids. In the following couple of days, the panther was spotted all over the country. In 1984, there was a wave of encounters with an Alien Big Cat which became known as the “Rossendale Lion.” It was an affair investigated extensively by Andy Roberts, the author of many books and articles on Fortean phenomena. And this is made all the more apparent when she digs deep into problematic issues surrounding (A) physical evidence for the presence of flesh-and-blood creatures in our midst; (B) photographic and film-based data; (C) the intriguing ability of the beasts to avoid capture or killing; and (D) why, curiously, so many of these animals are – time and again – seen near specific locations. [14] There was an earlier big cat sighting from 1982 in southern Jutland. Tags Alien Big Cats crop circles Marcus Matthews Nick Redfern works full time as a writer, lecturer, and journalist. [33], In 2009, a black panther was allegedly spotted in the industrial area of Bommelscheuer near Bascharage. Mystery Big Cats is essential reading for anyone wanting to develop a good understanding of the subject, and what may very possibly lie at its heart. The biologist was given police powers to capture or shoot the lion by the Ministry of Interior. 1. Their location creates the mystery, rather than their existence. [citation needed] There have been several unverified panther sightings in Mid-Canterbury near Ashburton and in the nearby foothills of the Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana,[22][23] but searches conducted there in 2003 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry found no corroborating physical evidence.[21]. A couple of days after the Bascharage incident, it also was mentioned that although the police did not find a panther, they did find an unusually large house cat. Alien Big Cats (ABCs, Phantom Cats, Mystery Cats) don’t have anything to do with UFOs (usually anyway). In British folklore, British big cats, also referred to as ABCs (Alien, or Anomalous, Big Cats), phantom cats and mystery cats, are reports and incidents of Felidae not native to Britain but supposed to inhabit the British countryside.