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THE BEAST OF BODMIN MOOR

Nov 5, 2024

11 min read

Denis

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FEATURED ON THE PARANORMAL PORTAL UK PODCAST

Also available on other major podcast platforms

 

EXPLORING THE BEAST OF BODMIN MOOR: SIGHTINGS, EVIDENCE AND LOCAL LEGENDS


On a dark, rainy night, the moor was shrouded in a dense layer of fog. The beast prowled silently through the darkness, its sleek form almost melting into the shadows that blanketed the rugged landscape. The moon was hidden behind thick dark clouds, casting only a faint, eerie glow over the moor. The beast moved with practiced grace, its piercing yellow eyes fixed on a flock of sheep huddled together near a stoney outcropping. Each step was soft, calculated, barely stirring a blade of grass as it crept closer, blending seamlessly into the night. Its damp black fur shimmered as a sudden gust of wind swept over the moor, carrying with it the faint, unmistakable scent of prey. The creature sharpened its focus and lowered its posture, barely visible on the grass of the moor. The sheep sensed a presence, their heads darting up in alarm, but in the darkness and fog, the beast was nothing more than a whisper, a shadow just beyond their view.


The Beast of Bodmin Moor is one of the most famous cryptid legends in the UK, sparking stories of a big cat prowling around the wild, open landscapes of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. Described as a large, black, panther-like animal, it’s said to stalk sheep and livestock, leaving mysterious kills that are hard to explain.



The legend gained traction in the late 1970s, when people started reporting sightings of a creature that didn’t resemble any native UK animals. These sightings and strange incidents multiplied in the following decades, especially during the 1980s and 1990s. Farmers reported livestock mutilations, often with tell tale signs like deep claw marks or patterns that suggested a large predator was responsible. Since there are no native big cats in the UK, the idea of a mysterious “beast” captured public fascination.


 

EYEWITNESSES

The 1983 sightings are where the whole legend of the Beast of Bodmin Moor really gained momentum. Locals started reporting sightings of a large, mysterious creature roaming Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, describing it as a big cat—usually black, sometimes spotted—that was way too big to be a domestic cat but didn't match up with any local wildlife, either.


Eric ley

The Eric Ley sighting is well-known account that fuelled the legend of the Bodmin Beast. Eric Ley, a farmer from South Molton in Devon, reported significant losses to his flock in 1983, around the same time as other reported big cat sightings in Devon and Cornwall, although Drewstone Farm where he lived, was over 50 miles from Bodmin Moor. In the wild, a panther, cougar or mountain lion's territorial range is normally between 50 to 150 square miles, further strengthening the claim that the animal eye witnessed in different areas or Devon and Cornwall could very well be the Bodmin Beast. Over a span of about three months, Ley claimed that more than 100 of his sheep had been killed under mysterious circumstances. The sheep were found with deep throat injuries, suggesting the work of a large predator far beyond the capability of local wildlife.


Ley would bring in hunters, police, and eventually a detachment of the Royal Marines to try to take down the sheep killing beast. Apparently the Marines eliminated several stray dogs, in the hunt, but never came across the beast. While the massacre of sheep declined, reports of suspicious livestock deaths are still recorded in the area.


Ley’s experiences contributed to growing concerns and rumours that a large, non-native predator, possibly a big cat, was stalking livestock in the region. His account added weight to the theory that big cats, potentially escapees or released exotic pets, might be surviving and hunting in the British countryside. Although no conclusive evidence was found, the sheer number of animals lost and the unusual injuries observed lent credibility to the stories although this incident was not specifically on the Moor, it helped push the Bodmin Beast legend into a local myth.


Sid Yates

The Sid Yates sighting is one of the more recent and intriguing accounts in the ongoing Bodmin Beast mystery. In 2013 at 9am, Sid Yates, a resident of Four Lanes near Redruth in Cornwall, about 50 miles from the Moor, reported spotting a large, black cat-like creature about 50 yards from his home. He described the animal as resembling a black Labrador in size, but with distinctive features that set it apart: it had longer legs, a flatter, more feline-looking snout, and a long, muscular tail. Yates's sighting stood out because he had a clear and close view, and he felt certain it wasn’t a dog or any typical wildlife of the area.


Adding to the credibility of his account, Yates mentioned that this was actually the second time he’d seen a similar creature. Two years earlier, he’d had a similar encounter near Townshend village. The recurring nature of his sightings added intrigue, suggesting that a large, elusive feline might indeed be surviving in Cornwall. Like other sightings, Yates’s account further fuelled local and national fascination with the possibility of a real-life “big cat” haunting the remote areas Devon and Cornwall including Bodmin Moor and surrounding regions.


Carole Desforges


The Carole Desforges sighting in 2015 added another layer to the Bodmin Beast legend, another sighting suggesting the creature's reach might extend beyond Bodmin Moor itself. Carole, who lived near Plymouth in Cornwall, about 30 miles from the moor, reported seeing an unusual animal walking through her garden one evening. At first, she thought it was a fox, but as she observed it more closely, she realized it had the sleek, powerful build of a large feline rather than a typical fox. The creature moved in a way that struck her as distinctly cat-like, and she estimated it was significantly larger than any domestic cat.


This sighting, like many others, was accompanied by descriptions that matched those of previous accounts: a large, black, cat-like animal that seemed to move with stealth and purpose. Desforges’s sighting contributed to the growing notion that the Beast of Bodmin Moor might not be confined to Bodmin alone, having claimed a larger territory, it could roam a much wider area across Cornwall. Desforges account was one of several in the mid-2010s that reignited public fascination and speculation about a possible population of big cats living secretly in the British countryside.


John Parkinson

The John Parkinson paw print photograph in 2016 is one of the more recent and compelling pieces of evidence in the Bodmin Beast lore. While walking near a clay pit between Nanpean and Whitemoor, close to St. Austell, Cornwall, about 22 miles from the Moor, Parkinson came across a large paw print that immediately caught his attention. Recognizing its unusual size and shape, he took a photo of the print, which showed distinct claw marks and pads that appeared larger than those of any known native animal.



Parkinson’s discovery sparked renewed interest in the possibility of a large feline predator roaming the area. Unlike fleeting glimpses or sightings, this physical evidence, captured in a photograph, added a tangible layer to the Bodmin Beast mystery. The paw print, along with Parkinson's description of its size, suggested that a creature with the characteristics of a big cat might indeed be lurking in Cornwall. His finding contributed to ongoing debates, with experts analysing the print but ultimately unable to reach a definitive conclusion, leaving the mystery of the Bodmin Beast tantalizingly unsolved.


Gemma Smith

Gemma Smith, who was exploring the grounds of the National Trust's Lanhydrock House in Cornwall with her family on August the 4th 2024, captured footage of a "big cat" 13 miles from Bodmin Moor. According to Gemma, she spotted , in her words "no average house cat" as it startled deer grazing nearby.


In an eerie video clip she took that day, a mysterious black creature can be seen moving through the estate’s grassy fields. Despite acknowledging that the quality of the images were not perfect, Smith still firmly believes that evidence of something unusual lurking in the area that day was caught on film.



 

PARANORMAL AND CRYPTID LORE

The Beast of Bodmin Moor has sparked a range of fantastical theories over the years, spanning from cryptid legends to supernatural speculation. Here are some examples.


Surviving Sabre-Toothed Cat or Prehistoric Feline


One popular notion is that the Beast could be a remnant from prehistoric times—an undiscovered species or even a surviving sabre-toothed cat that has somehow managed to evade human detection for centuries. While scientifically implausible, this theory adds an eerie, ancient feel to the Bodmin Beast’s legend, suggesting it’s a creature that predates modern civilization.


Ghost Cat or Spectral Panther


Some believe the Bodmin Beast to be a spirit or ghostly entity rather than a living creature. This "ghost cat" theory fits well with Cornwall’s rich history of legends and hauntings. According to this idea, the Beast is a spectral big cat, a haunting echo of a creature that once roamed the land centuries ago.


A Shape-Shifting Witch


Cornwall has a history of witchcraft and folklore, and some claim the Beast might be a shape-shifting witch or a spirit companion that can take on animal forms. This theory posits that the Beast of Bodmin Moor is connected to local witchcraft or a mystical practitioner, appearing as a large cat to carry out their bidding or protect sacred places.


 

Possible Origins and Theories

Despite many supernatural or far-fetched explanations, there are many prosaic ones that are considered realistic possibilities to the origin and identity of the beast.


Escaped or Released Exotic Pets or attractions

Panthers in captivity


One popular theory is that the Beast of Bodmin Moor might be the result of exotic pets or zoo attractions that escaped or were released. In the 1970s, the UK introduced the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, which regulated the ownership of big cats and other wild animals. Some speculate that owners of exotic animals, like panthers, pumas, or leopards, might have released them into the wild rather than comply with the new regulations.


In 2016, Benjamin Mee, the proprietor of Dartmoor Zoo, previously know as Plymouth Zoo, corroborated a long-standing local tale by acknowledging the release of pumas into the vicinity surrounding the zoo during the 1980s. Mary Chipperfield, the then owner of Plymouth Zoo, released the pumas when her zoo was forced to close in 1978. For more than three decades, these large felines were said to have roamed the West Country, with numerous reported sightings contributing to the lore of the 'Beast of Dartmoor'. Located just 38 miles from Bodmin Moor, could the 'Beast of Dartmoor' also actually be the 'Beast of Bodmin'.


A Puma

Mee, writer of the book 'We Bought A Zoo', which later became a successful movie staring Matt Damon, recalled his own encounter with one of these pumas shortly after acquiring the zoo in 2006, highlighting that the animals occasionally strayed into nearby villages, foraging in refuse bins and even preying on livestock. Despite local farmers suffering losses, they were hesitant to disclose these incidents publicly. Mee speculates that the severe winter of 2010, one of the coldest in recent memory, may have eradicated the remaining puma population, as there have been no further sightings in that area, since that time.


Following Mee’s revelation, residents have shared their own encounters with mysterious big cats, including Hermann Welch, who recalls a black panther-like creature jumping in front of his car in 2004. Welch reported it to the authorities and the zoo at the time, but his claims were met with disbelief.


Misidentification

A Bengal Cat, one of the largest breeds

Some researchers argue that what people see are likely large, melanistic (black) dogs, feral domestic cats, larger breeds of domestic cat like Bengals or even overgrown foxes. Under certain lighting and conditions, a large dog or feral cat could appear much bigger and more menacing. Some speculate that a large Bengal cat could explain certain sightings of the Beast of Bodmin. Bengal cats are hybrids bred from domestic cats and Asian leopard cats, giving them an exotic, muscular appearance. Their unique coat patterns and larger-than-average size could appear unusual in the wild, especially from a distance or in low light. However, Bengal cats typically max out at around 12-15 pounds, significantly smaller than the creature most witnesses describe, which is often likened to a small panther or leopard. While a Bengal cat might account for some sightings, the true "Beast of Bodmin" would need to be something more substantial to fully match the lore and mystery that surrounds this legendary creature.


 

EVIDENCE AND INVESTIGATIONS


In 1995, the Agricultural Development Advisory Service (ADAS), formerly part of the Ministry of Agriculture, embarked on an extensive investigation to determine the truth behind the legend of the Beast of Bodmin Moor. The government funded the inquiry and dug deep into evidence and witness statements over the course of 26 days. The scientists involved, aimed to either confirm or debunk the existence of large, wild cats roaming the countryside, responding to the longstanding reports of sightings and unexplained livestock deaths attributed to a mysterious creature.



The findings of the investigation were inconclusive in proving the non-existence of big cats in the region, yet ADAS scientists expressed confidence that even if such animals were present, they posed little threat to livestock. The report clarified that proving an animal’s absence entirely is difficult, but the scientists anticipated that if a big cat were indeed out there, compelling evidence would emerge. Over the investigation, numerous sightings were reported, along with suspected livestock kills, which locals contributed as potential proof.


However, the final report stated, “No verifiable evidence for the presence of a 'big cat' was found.” Only four suspected livestock kills were reported in a six-month period, none of which pointed to anything other than native animals or dogs. ADAS ultimately concluded that there was no substantial threat to livestock on Bodmin Moor from a large feline predator, downplaying the likelihood of an exotic big cat living undetected in the British countryside. The report tempered the legend with a dose of scepticism, but it left the mystery open, allowing the Beast of Bodmin Moor to remain a captivating, if unproven, piece of local folklore.


Around the same time, In 1995, a young boy stumbled upon a large feline skull along the River Fowey in Cornwall, which quickly drew attention. Measuring about 10 cm in length and 18 cm in width, the skull had prominent fangs, suggesting it might belong to a leopard. This discovery added fuel to the legend of the beast. However, after examining the skull, experts at the Natural History Museum determined it had been imported to the UK as part of a leopard-skin rug, confirming it wasn't from a wild animal native to Britain.


 

CONCLUSION

Despite the lack of scientific evidence, the Beast of Bodmin Moor remains a local legend, and people still claim to spot it occasionally. It’s become a part of the cultural landscape of Cornwall, mixing local folklore, cryptid intrigue, and the mystery of Bodmin Moor itself, a place already steeped in history and supernatural stories, which only adds to the mythos surrounding the Beast.



 

SCPUK THOUGHTS




At South Coast Paranormal UK we think the Beast of Bodmin, is an intriguing cryptid. It isn’t among the most fantastical in appearance, which gives it a little more believability compared to more monstrous and mythical cryptids witnessed around the globe. With its resemblance to a large domestic cat or panther, misidentification seems the most likely cause of the sightings. We also find it intriguing that a lot of the sightings are not even on Bodmin Moor, some of which were over 50 miles away, this can be explained by the large territories exotic big cats roam, which to us is another piece of evidence in favour of it being a real animal.


The theory that it’s an exotic pet or zoo attraction released onto the moor feels the most credible hypothesis for the legendary beast. Previously feeling such an animal would struggle to adapt to the wild after years in captivity, we had to concede, the release of the three pumas by Mary Chipperfield back in 1978, could have contributed to early sightings of the beast, with Benjamin Mee stating his belief that the pumas survived for decades, living on scraps and livestock kills. That being said, if the pumas were indeed released into the wild, we’d have expected some physical evidence, like a body or bodies to have surfaced by now, which hasn't happened. Also the released pumas theory takes another hit when you take into consideration the ADAS investigation. The two scientists involved took 26 days and dug deep, but had zero results in their attempt to find evidence of a big cat living wild, in the Devon and Cornwall countryside.


Whether the beast is real or not, the sightings, paw prints, and occasional blurry photos and video are captivating, and the Bodmin Beast adds a delightful layer of mystery to Bodmin Moor’s already rich folklore. It’s a legend that enhances the moor’s atmosphere, making it an even more intriguing place to visit. So remember, next time you're on the moor and you're wondering what that strange dark shape is moving in the distance, you could actually be witnessing 'The Beast of Bodmin Moor'.


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