'Masters of survival': Big cat expert says lynx are living a secret life in the wilds of Gloucestershire

-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


After two Lynx that were found after being illegally released into the Highlands, it is claimed this is a historical issue and there are many 'big cats' living in the British countryside. The animals, named 'The Killiehuntly Two', were captured earlier this month after a joint operation between police and the Highland Wildlife Park, yet it is claimed reports of lynx sightings are made more than people realise.

Wildlife enthusiast and big cat expert Frank Tunbridge, 78, from Podsmead, has spoken to hundreds of people over the years who have given him detailed reports of big cat sightings in the UK. Included in these reports are descriptive accounts of lynx encounters too - you can read about two reported sightings in Gloucestershire further down this article.

Mr Tunbridge feels the amount of people who have spoken to him about their experiences of big cat sightings, proves they are living in the UK countryside. He concludes 'that lynx are now successfully established throughout Britain' and believes the police hunt for The Killiehuntly Two, was merely 'to assure public safety in a popular visitor and hiking location'.

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE: Sex and drugs misery in Gloucester street

READ MORE: A417 to face series of mini 10-minute closures as lorries deliver huge bridge beams to Air Balloon roundabout site

Mr Tunbridge said: "The Eurasian lynx died out over 500 years ago in Great Britain due to overhunting and probably habitat loss. However I still receive detailed and unequivocal reports of the secretive and stealthy wild cat species in the British countryside.

"Over the years I have received many reports which are highly tangible, and are without a doubt lynx sightings from people knowledgeable wildlife. These sightings are reported on a regular basis. The reports come from many areas of the British Countryside but generally in forested areas which have prey species such as muntjac and roe deer, wild boar, rabbits, and ground nesting birds.

"Recently a pair of presumably illegally released lynx were captured in a police backed operation, in the Cairngorms National park in the Scottish Highlands. So why were a pair of these generally elusive and medium sized wild cats, seen in a fairly remote part of the UK prompt such an urgent response towards their immediate capture?

ADVERTISEMENT

"It is possible it was to abate the fears of local farmers in a high sheep rearing area, and to assure public safety in a popular visitor and hiking location, even though these shy, stealthy cats pose no immediate threat to humans.

"Lynx, like all large wild carnivores, are always opportunistic in their habits, so do on occasion kill sheep, however only on a low basis in comparison with their preference for roe deer, of which, with other deer species, are overabundant in nearly all parts of the UK, including Scotland.

"I receive emails from people in all walks of life who have encountered lynx on their travels, but normally only a glimpse, due to this animal's supreme ability to stay concealed. You just have to be in the right place at the right time, as even in their native countries lynx are known as 'ghosts of the forest'.

"The people who contact me with a sighting often request to remain anonymous, but state that it was a glimpse that will stay with them forever.

"I suspect that the pair of lynx captured recently in the Highlands were recently abandoned animals from a private collection, after seeing how easily tempted they were to the bait offered. Plus, in one of the photos one of the cats seems to have a collar attached.

ADVERTISEMENT

"All cats, especially small to medium sized species, are masters of survival when left to their own devices, and soon adapt to their surroundings, because it's either that or starve. Where there's something to eat there's something to eat it, and there is ample prey species in this country to fuel their diet.

"After the Dangerous wild Animals act came into force in 1976, lynx, along with other wild cat species were released into wild areas throughout the British Isles, and over the years numbers have been topped up by. Covert releases have been carried out by private individual groups by secretly releasing lynx in various locations around the country.

"Due to overwhelming reports, plus visual and field evidence that I have accumulated over many years I conclude that lynx are now successfully established throughout Britain, especially in the more remote forested areas of places, such as the Forest of Dean, parts of Wales, and the Scottish Borders.

"If anyone has had a glimpse of a lynx, wolf, or other unusual animal encounter they are welcome to contact me in confidence"

To contact Frank please email him at franktunbridge@hotmail.co.uk

Reported sightings of lynx in Gloucestershire:

February 2024: Big cat spotted running into field of sheep who didn't bat an eyelid

A group who were out walking in the West Country came across a big cat which is said to have looked ‘completely natural in the countryside landscape’. One of the group said it was not for one moment a scary experience, and compared the sighting to having spotted a deer or pheasant while out on a hike.

ADVERTISEMENT

Curious to find out the type of big cat they had seen, they carried out a Google search and found they had come across a lynx . The group were also rather taken aback seeing the lynx running away towards a flock of sheep, who were clearly unbothered by the animal.

“The weather had not been too good at the start of the morning. We had our heads down and just headed to Roos Tor.

“The four of us were in a line one behind the other, and my friend, who is ex-Army, whistled so we all stopped and looked up. He looked over to and pointed towards the big cat.

“We saw it for about four or five seconds as it ran about 75 metres from west to east just below the Tor. It ran into a field where there were sheep, which did not bat an eyelid.

“As we carried on, we saw a couple who were walking towards us, and I asked them if they had seen the big cat. They looked at us as if we were a bit mad and said, ‘no, not at all.’.

“It was not a shock to see the animal, it just looked like a natural part of the landscape. None of us were scared, in fact as soon as the animal spotted us, it got out of the way pretty sharpish.

“The press do not help with sensational headlines about these sightings like ‘The Beast Of Bodmin’. I can imagine if you saw a lion which had been growling, you would be shocked, however this animal looked natural and completely harmless.”

To read the full story, please visit here.

October 2024: Dad and son see 'big cat' leap across road in a single bound

A dad and his son, while driving back to the camp site they were staying in the Forest of Dean , could not believe it when they seen a big cat jump across the road in front of them in a single bound. Both were taken aback by how clearly they could see the creature and have described the 'tufts on its ears' and said it was 'very muscular'.

Gareth Wright, 55, from Yeovil, goes camping each year with his son in Coleford . They love to walk and look at the wildlife in the area, and have a keen interest looking for birds of prey and the wild boar which are known for residing in the area.

Last summer, Gareth and his son had been out and had enjoyed seeing lots of wildlife, especially deer. Walking on one day, they had seen wild boar on their travels and some wild boar piglets , otherwise known as 'humbugs'.

"We were driving passed the fenced area by the recycling centre in Coleford and we seen a lynx jump into the road. In one bound it jumped across the road.

"There is no question about it, the animal was clearly a lynx. You could tell by the tufts on its ears, the green eye shine and it was dark tan and tall as a Labrador.

To read the full story, please visit here.