Source: Y-Rex, CC BY-SA 4.0,
The Beast of Bodmin Moor is a legendary feline cryptid that is said to live in the rugged terrain of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, England. It was first seen in 1978 and since then there have been many sightings that have puzzled locals and tourists alike!
Witnesses have described the Beast of Bodin as a large, black, phantom cat-like animal with glowing eyes and a long tail. Many claim to have heard strange howls and unusual sounds at night while others have seen the Beast moving through the moors and easily jumping over high walls.
There is a lot of speculation about what the Beast might be, ranging from a misidentified wild animal like a panther or puma to a supernatural cryptid that guards the ancient sites on the moor. However, despite extensive research, no proof has been found to support any of the claims made by people who have seen it.
| Name: | Beast of Bodmin Moor |
| Location: | Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, England |
| Category: | Mysterious Big Cat/Cryptid |
| Description: | Large, black or dark-colored feline cryptid resembling a big cat; commonly compared to a panther. |
| Size: | Variable, reported to be around 4 and 7 feet tall (1.2 to 2.1 meters). |
| Behavior/Characteristics: | Elusive, nocturnal, and stealthy behavior; alleged livestock predation. |
| Diet: | Reported to prey on livestock, such as sheep and rabbits. |
| Habitat/Environment: | Rugged moorland and wooded areas of Bodmin Moor. |
| Evidence: | Limited physical evidence such as tracks and blurry photographs and video. |
| Sightings and Encounters: | Numerous reported sightings since the late 1970s, including photos, footprints, and video. |
| Skepticism/Explanations: | Some explanations suggest misidentified domestic cats, dogs, or other wild animals. |
Beast Of Bodmin Moor Legend
Bodmin is a small town in Cornwall, England with a population of about 14,000 people. It is found on the edge of Bodmin Moor and is famous for its links to many different spooky legends and stories. It is believed to be haunted by several ghosts including the ghost of Charlotte Dymond who was murdered there in 1844.
Along with the many ghost stories that surround the moor there is also another creature that is said to haunt the area – The Beast Of Bodmin Moor.
According to most sources, The Beast of Bodmin Moor was first reportedly seen in 1978 although there are some claims that similar creatures were spotted in the area going all the way back to the 19th century.
What Is The Beast Of Bodmin Moor?
The Beast of Bodmin Moor is said to be a large cat-like creature that is in color with a long tail and yellow or green eyes. It is about the size of a leopard or jaguar.
This is what we know about its appearance from various eyewitness accounts and other reports over the years:
1. Size
The Beast of Bodmin Moor is described as being very large, with witnesses claiming that it stands between 4 and 7 feet tall (1.2 to 2.1 meters).
2. Color
Many witnesses have described the cryptid as being black in color, although some reports say that it may have a dark brown or grayish tint.
3. Appearance
Witnesses often compare the Beast to a large cat, with a sleek, muscular body, long tail, and powerful legs.
4. Eyes
There have been eyewitnesses who have claimed that the Beast Of Bodmin Moor has glowing eyes that are either bright green or yellow in color. Some say that the eyes are self-luminous and look like they glow while others say that they reflect light like a cat’s eyes would.
5. Movement
Witnesses often report that the Beast moves in unusual ways. They describe it as being able to cover great distances quickly and silently, despite its large size.
6. Sounds
Witnesses have reported hearing unusual and unfamiliar sounds such as screeching, hissing, or growling with many saying that they have never heard these types of sounds before.
There have also been a few eyewitnesses who have reported that the Beast of Bodmin Moor has a mane, similar to the mane of a lion although these reports are not the norm.
Beast Of Bodmin Moor Sightings
According to most sources, The Beast of Bodmin Moor was first reportedly seen in 1978 although there are some claims that similar creatures were spotted in the area going all the way back to the 19th century.
Since then there have been over 200 different sightings. In fact, because there were so many sightings of the Beast that an official investigation was launched in 1995 to solve the mystery.
The Agricultural Development Advisory Service spent a month trying to confirm once and for all whether the Beast Of Bodmin was real or simply a hoax. This government-funded investigation concluded that it was not possible to prove that there were big cats resembling the Beast in the area.
“It was accepted at the start of this investigation that it would never be possible to prove that such an animal, or animals, did not exist, but it was believed that if they did, hard evidence would be forthcoming. People helpfully supplied material for the investigation and reported sightings, suspected livestock kills and injuries.
“No verifiable evidence for the presence of a ‘big cat’ was found. There were only four suspected livestock kills reported in nearly six months, none of which gave any indication of the involvement of anything other than native animals and dogs. There is no significant threat to livestock from a ‘big cat’ on Bodmin Moor.”
Cornwall Live
Beast Of Bodmin Footage
While there have been numerous blurry photos that have been taken over the years, none have been able to give us a true glimpse of exactly what the Beast of Bodmin looks like. However, in 2009 a military policeman managed to capture footage of what looks like an enormous black cat walking along a railway road close to his home. Here is the footage:
Does The Beast Of Bodmin Moor Exist?
Over the years there have been many possible explanations given for the Beast Of Bodmin Moors sightings ranging from escaped circus animals all the way through to supernatural beings. There is however one theory that seems to make the most sense to me.
In 1976 a new law was passed in Britain called The Dangerous Wild Animals Act. This act made it difficult for people to keep exotic animals as pets. Because of the new laws passed and, in many cases the costs involved in owning these exotic animals, many people simply decided to release their pets into the wild, and this included big cats.
In 1978 it is claimed that a zookeeper by the name of Mary Chipperfield released three puma’s into the wild when her zoo closed. This included a breeding pair.
Unfortunately, Ms Chipperfield passed away in 2014 so she was never able to confirm this although her husband dismissed the rumors.
However, if the stories are true, this could explain why these types of feline cryptids are being seen throughout the Bodmin Moors. That said, there have been scientists who have rejected this theory saying that there would never be enough cats to sustain breeding populations and that their food supply would be too small.
Similar Cryptids
Conclusion
The Beast of Bodmin Moors remains one of Cornwall’s most enduring big cat legends! And, despite official investigations and multiple theories, the true identity of this legendary big cat remains a mystery leaving us with more questions than answers.
