The Beast of Exmoor

The Beast of Exmoor – an elusive creature roaming the moors of Exmoor… or perhaps just roaming our imaginations..? This large, wild ‘cryptozoological’ felid has become infamous in the southwest, spotted across the fields and moors of Exmoor in Somerset and Devon. Although sighted on numerous occasions since the 1970s, definitive proof of the beast’s existence remains elusive. Witnesses report a sizeable feline creature, typically resembling a panther or puma, dark grey/tan to black. The beast is large, with most reports suggesting lengths (nose to tail) of somewhere in the region of 1 to 2 meters.

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The elusive beast, typically skulking in the shadows

A large cat-like carcass - perhaps the Exmoor Beast is no more?

Beast of Exmoor Sightings

During the early 80s, repeated significant losses of sheep and lambs increased the notoriety of the Beast of Exmoor. In one such example, a South Molton farmer lost over 100 sheep in three months. Apparently, injuries were suggestive of large cat involvement.

A Devon farmer found a puma skull in 2006, confirmed by the British Big Cats Society. However, the official statement by the DEFRA outlined, “based on the evidence, DEFRA does not believe that big cats are living in the wild in England”.

Possible Theories and Explanations

Some decades ago, possessing exotic species in the UK became popular and was initially largely unregulated. Consequently, during the 1960s, a law was passed making it illegal to keep large cats in captivity as an individual. This has led to theories of the release of a cougar or black leopard into the wild at about this time. However, the typical maximum lifespan of these species is approximately 14 years… So it seems unlikely that a single animal would have accounted for all sightings.

The sceptical might reasonably assume that sightings are much more likely to be misidentified domestic cats, dogs or deer. Or perhaps, livestock deaths could be attributed to wandering dogs.

Theories of a hybrid species have been discussed; the hybridization of a Leopard and Puma was achieved in captivity by Carl Hagenbeck. Perhaps some new felid of Exmoor is in existence? The male of any cat hybrid is typically sterile, so the ongoing perpetuation of the species could be tricky mind you…

Exmoor the Wildlife Haven

One thing is for sure; Exmoor is the place to be for wild animals in the UK. This National Park has over 250 square miles of space, carefully protected to preserve the natural world. Varied habitats and minimal human urbanisation result in a huge range of species choosing to call this beautiful part of the world home. Simply wandering the many footpaths over Exmoor, you will likely encounter Red Deer, wild Exmoor Ponies, and various birds and small mammals. Join a Deer Safari or an Exmoor guided walk for some expert knowledge.