READERS have been getting in touch with us to share their experiences of seeing what they believe to be a 'big cat' in person.

The term ‘big cat’ is usually used to describe large wild felines such as tigers, lions, panthers, jaguars, leopards, cheetahs and cougars.

Earlier this week, the Leader revealed that new research shows that online searches for ‘Big Cats UK’ have surged by 100% in Wrexham.

The research, carried out by AussieBoots, comes after multiple sightings of big cats have been reported in recent months and years across the United Kingdom.

Earlier this year, the DNA of a big cat was identified from a swab which was taken from a dead sheep in the Lake District proving that at least one could be running wild.

North Wales has had various alleged sightings of big cats in recent times, including in the Wrexham area.

In 2022, one member of the public claimed she saw a big cat at a caravan park in Chirk.

TOP STORIES TODAY

The Leader also covered a story in April 2023 of two 'big black cat' sightings in Wrexham around the same time. One was seen in Rossett, while the other was spotted near Wrexham Industrial Estate. 

Since we shared our article, readers have been getting in touch to share their experiences of allegedly witnessing some big cats out in north Wales, as well as just over the border.

Kevin Morris told us: "I saw a big black cat with a huge tail on the mountain in Glyn Ceiriog. Too big to be a normal cat and moved way to quickly to be a dog. Don’t care what others say but I believe my own eyes."

Julian Whitley said: "I saw it about 2.30am Sunday morning (September 29) after driving home. Spotted at Ffrwd pub Cefn y Bedd, it was about two-feet high, very dark brown shiny and not a fox or a grey hound.

"Skinny and large, it moved like a cat. I thought I was seeing things but I saw it with my eyes and told my girlfriend but she didn’t see it. Shame I haven’t got dash cam."

Steven Martin added: "There's been a couple of sightings up on Hope Mountain. I'm from Gresford originally and remember a good few years back whilst I was walking home along the woods by the railway line at the bottom of Griffin Hill and walked past a thicket of holly where something growled from the middle of it.

"It wasn't a dog, fox or badger, it made every hair on me stand on edge as it was a very deep guttural growl. I believe 100% that they are out there."

Gary Edwards said: "There was one that was seen on the Dukes estate in the Poulton area in the late 90’s.  The next day it was seen by a number of people in Pulford and Doddleston (direct woodland route from where my mum saw it).

Several 'sightings' of big cats have been reported in north Wales.Several 'sightings' of big cats have been reported in north Wales. (Image: Puma Watch) "Police marksmen were called out but they didn’t see it. Loads of places for them to hide in the countryside and plenty to eat with all the wild deer that roam freely."

Amy Daniels said: "I have (seen one) and I don’t care what anybody says, I know what I saw."

She added: "On Rossett Road, Wrexham. There is a small bridge with a small river, it jumped up onto the small bridge then down to the river, it was so fast and so big I couldn’t believe my eyes.

"I stopped when I approached the bridge to see where it had gone but had disappeared, plus I wasn’t hanging around I was terrified. It must have been crossing from one side to the other."

Others remain sceptical about the sightings.

Like George Wallace, who said: "Most people can't tell them from a Black Labrador in the dark."