Panther and leopard among reported big cat sightings in Wales

A panther, a leopard and a Canadian lynx are among the reported sightings of big cats in Wales, according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Fifteen "big cats" were reported to authorities in Wales between January 2020 and July 2025, the FOI to the Welsh government found. The apparent spottings were made in areas ranging from Pembrokeshire to Ceredigion, Powys, Swansea, Denbighshire and Carmarthenshire. One reporter described seeing what they believed was a panther jumping over a hedge onto the road in front of them while they were driving. A leopard sighting was reported to Dyfed-Powys Police in Cwmtwrch, Swansea, on 16 January 2023, when the reporter saw a "leopard with spots walking around the garden when their dog was let out". The report stated that the dog did not react and "security lights kept coming on as it was walking around". No evidence was submitted and the report states that no action was taken after officials contacted the reporter to discuss further, but could not reach them. A sighting of a "panther" between Capel Bangor and Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, was reported to Dyfed Powys Police (DPP) on 30 May 2023, with the reporter saying they were driving when the