Big Cat Conversations
156 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsThe People's Podcast on Big Cat encounters in Britain. In each episode Rick Minter discusses big cat sightings with different witnesses, finding out what they saw or sensed, how they felt, and how these cases fit a bigger picture.
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Episodes
BCC EP:35 Beasts of the moors and tors
October 17, 2020 19:00 - 59 minutes - 40.8 MBMatt Jones explains the challenge of filming large cats in Devon and Cornwall with trail cameras – one of his photos is discussed in the coming documentary Britain’s Big Cat Mystery, and we also hear of his sighting of a panther-like cat in October 2020. 17 October 2020 Word of the week: pardus
BCC EP:34 Misfit Cats – not the usual suspects
October 02, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 50.2 MBWe hear from Amy-Louise who did an emergency stop to avoid hitting a large unusual puma when driving in Hampshire, and then from Joel who was shocked to see a tall black cat in reed beds near Hastings – Joel contrasts his sighting with a wild puma he witnessed in Texas. Words of the week: landscape connectivity 2 October 2020
BCC EP:33 Black leopards – spotting the difference from Essex to Exmoor Zoo
September 18, 2020 10:00 - 58 minutes - 40.3 MBOur first guest Paul watched a black panther in Essex for 15 minutes in August, struggling to take photos at dusk – we then visit Exmoor Zoo’s black leopards, and hear why local police sometimes ask if they’ve escaped. Words of the week: chuffing and prusten 18 September 2020
BCC EP:32 Fact into fiction – a big cat novel & a panther play
September 02, 2020 09:00 - 1 hour - 54.3 MBIn our first half David Anthony Starkey explains how glimpsing a big cat in south Wales led to his new novel about British black panthers – in the second half we feature Red in Tooth and Claw, a play about big cats in Britain by Simon Bovey, first broadcast on BBC Radio 4. Words of the week: art represents reality 2 September 2020
BCC EP:31 Bodmin & Exmoor Beasts – the inside stories
August 20, 2020 19:00 - 1 hour - 46.2 MBWe speak to Lord Tyler who called for the 1995 government study on potential big cats in the Bodmin area, and to Eric Ley about sheep predation on his Exmoor farm in 1983 and the community’s response, which started the Exmoor Beast legend. Word of the week: cat nip 20 August 2020
BCC EP:31 Bodmin & Exmoor Beasts – the inside stories
August 20, 2020 19:00 - 1 hour - 46.2 MBWe speak to Lord Tyler who called for the 1995 government study on potential big cats in the Bodmin area, and to Eric Ley about sheep predation on his Exmoor farm in 1983 and the community’s response, which started the Exmoor Beast legend. Word of the week: cat nip 20 August 2020
BCC EP:30 The angry leopard – a close call on Anglesey
August 05, 2020 20:00 - 52 minutes - 36.3 MBOur guest Josh disturbed a large feline shape in the dark on a break in Anglesey – it made angry calls and stalked him as he returned home with his dog. He later observed the speed and power of the animal… Word of the week: Tapetum lucidum 6 August 2020
BCC EP:29 Devon panthers - quirks & confrontations
July 24, 2020 19:00 - 1 hour - 43 MBOur first guest John witnessed a “freckled” black panther in north Devon in June 2020, suggesting inbreeding in the cat, while our second guest Dan was confronted by a panther on Dartmoor whilst on his Navy night-watch training. Dan and Rick also discuss folklore associated with Britain’s big cat sightings. Words of the week: vitiligo and tulpa 24 July 2020
BCC EP:29 Devon panthers - quirks & confrontations
July 24, 2020 19:00 - 1 hour - 43 MBOur first guest John witnessed a “freckled” black panther in north Devon in June 2020, suggesting inbreeding in the cat, while our second guest Dan was confronted by a panther on Dartmoor whilst on his Navy night-watch training. Dan and Rick also discuss folklore associated with Britain’s big cat sightings. Words of the week: vitiligo and tulpa 24 July 2020
BCC EP:28 Stalking - two can play
July 09, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 52.3 MBOur first guest Richard once shot a medium-large sized cat in southern England but wants to film a big cat now, while our second guest Andrew and his dogs were followed by a panther by the river Severn in May 2020 – local investigator Paul Ramsden discusses this case on location with Andrew. Word of the week: stalking 9 July 2020
BCC EP:27 Tree-top predator & New Zealand panthers
June 27, 2020 16:00 - 1 hour - 49.4 MBBéa our guest from Dorset was shocked by a large cat high in a tree – she rushed for a camera as it leapt from branch to branch, and we also hear from Scott Bainbridge about New Zealand big cat sightings. Word of the Week: arboreal 27 June 2020
BCC EP:27 Tree-top predator & New Zealand panthers
June 27, 2020 16:00 - 1 hour - 49.4 MBBéa our guest from Dorset was shocked by a large cat high in a tree – she rushed for a camera as it leapt from branch to branch, and we also hear from Scott Bainbridge about New Zealand big cat sightings. Word of the Week: arboreal 27 June 2020
BCC EP:26 The dog-watching leopards
June 12, 2020 12:00 - 53 minutes - 37.1 MBAngela describes her close encounters when dog-walking in Somerset big cat hot-spots over 30 years, and we also hear Clare Balding’s surprise sighting of a panther in Herefordshire in 2014, recorded on BBC Radio 4. Word of the week: pareidolia 12 June 2020
BCC EP:25 Power animals in lockdown
May 28, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 46.7 MBWendy explains her puma and jaguar encounters in Columbia and checking for puma tracks in Cornwall - she recounts her former zoo work and her experience on deeper connections with owls, bears and big cats. We also hear from Gloucestershire’s Frank Tunbridge about recent local big cat reports and his thoughts on the influence of lockdown on wildlife and big cats. Word of the week: cursorial 28 May 2020
BCC EP:25 Power animals in lockdown
May 28, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 46.7 MBWendy explains her puma and jaguar encounters in Columbia and checking for puma tracks in Cornwall - she recounts her former zoo work and her experience on deeper connections with owls, bears and big cats. We also hear from Gloucestershire’s Frank Tunbridge about recent local big cat reports and his thoughts on the influence of lockdown on wildlife and big cats. Word of the week: cursorial 28 May 2020
BCC EP:24 Horse sense – predator in the paddock
May 14, 2020 21:00 - 58 minutes - 40.1 MBWe discuss big cats and horses with horse trainer Richard – he has seen a black panther in Warwickshire and a puma in California, while our second guest Rachel describes the impacts of a large cat attack on her horse in Herefordshire. Word of the week: catamount 14 May 2020
BCC EP:23 Lone Star shadows – America’s hidden panthers
April 30, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 51.5 MBWith black panthers reported in many States of America, Michael Mayes, author of Shadow Cats considers the case for undetected black jaguars, black pumas and other candidates. Michael also compares the stealth of large cats with another mystery animal reported deep in the wilds of America… Word of the week: cryptid 30 April 2020
BCC EP:22 A cub breaks cover…
April 18, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBJohn our guest watched a mother and cub at close quarters in Shropshire, making him determined to photograph a big cat - he got his wish 5 years later in a Herefordshire wood. Word of the week: melanism 18 April 2020
BCC EP:22 A cub breaks cover…
April 18, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBJohn our guest watched a mother and cub at close quarters in Shropshire, making him determined to photograph a big cat - he got his wish 5 years later in a Herefordshire wood. Word of the week: melanism 18 April 2020
BCC EP:21 Night patrol – sensing nature’s secrets
April 02, 2020 23:00 - 56 minutes - 38.5 MBRhoda and Jay discuss searching for wildlife, people and big cats, by using tracking skills and senses, and thermal drones. Jay describes a black panther seen against the bright landscape of China clay in Cornwall, and Rhoda reflects on skills learnt from her time with Kalahari bushmen. You can also watch the shorter version of this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=12&v=bxcSVqSI65Y&feature=emb_logo Word of the week: ecotone 3 April 2020
BCC EP:21 Night patrol – sensing nature’s secrets
April 02, 2020 23:00 - 56 minutes - 38.5 MBRhoda and Jay discuss searching for wildlife, people and big cats, by using tracking skills and senses, and thermal drones. Jay describes a black panther seen against the bright landscape of China clay in Cornwall, and Rhoda reflects on skills learnt from her time with Kalahari bushmen. You can also watch the shorter version of this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=12&v=bxcSVqSI65Y&feature=emb_logo Word of the week: ecotone 3 April 2020
BCC EP:20 Jupiter rising - jungle cat prowling
March 21, 2020 21:00 - 50 minutes - 34.6 MBCraig recounts his time as a countryside ranger at Forfar Loch in Angus when he twice encountered a jungle cat. Several visitors also glimpsed the cat(s) and were more fascinated than fearful. Rick the podcast host compares his experience seeing and hearing a jungle cat in Gloucestershire. Word of the week: meso predator 21 March 2020
BCC EP:19 Forest beasts and boar slayers
March 05, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 46.2 MBWe join Alyn and Neil as they stake out the Forest of Dean and find a large wild boar carcass, eaten-out and despatched by a wild predator. They explain a recent big cat sighting through their thermal camera, describe cub sightings (check photo on the BCC web site), and discuss how tracking gets you closer to nature. Words of the week: diagonal walking March 5 2020
BCC EP:18 Panther chat in the pub – scary stories?
February 23, 2020 01:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MBFrom a Forest of Dean pub four guests discuss their big cat encounters. We hear from local residents Meri and Walter, Tim from Gloucester and James from Shropshire. They compare their different panther sightings and consider whether we should be fearful of these alpha predators in our woods… Word of the week: Topography 23 February 2020
BCC EP:18 Panther chat in the pub – scary stories?
February 23, 2020 01:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MBFrom a Forest of Dean pub four guests discuss their big cat encounters. We hear from local residents Meri and Walter, Tim from Gloucester and James from Shropshire. They compare their different panther sightings and consider whether we should be fearful of these alpha predators in our woods… Word of the week: Topography 23 February 2020
BCC EP:17 Bodmin Beasts – farming alongside the legends
February 07, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBJohn our first guest farms in Wiltshire where he lives alongside black panthers – they’ve been resting in his barn and strolling across pastures… Neil our second guest farms in Cornwall amongst local reports of big cats. He describes two past attacks on his ewes which show the hallmarks of a large cat. He now has trail cameras on his land and is alert to the prospect of a silent Bodmin Beast passing by. 7 February 2020 Words of the week: prey switching
BCC EP:17 Bodmin Beasts – farming alongside the legends
February 07, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBJohn our first guest farms in Wiltshire where he lives alongside black panthers – they’ve been resting in his barn and strolling across pastures… Neil our second guest farms in Cornwall amongst local reports of big cats. He describes two past attacks on his ewes which show the hallmarks of a large cat. He now has trail cameras on his land and is alert to the prospect of a silent Bodmin Beast passing by. 7 February 2020 Words of the week: prey switching
BCC EP:16 Scottish landmarks – big cat hideouts
January 24, 2020 21:00 - 49 minutes - 34 MBOur guest Paul recounts his big cat encounters at Glenfinnan and then at Arthur’s Seat near the heart of Edinburgh, where the police also documented a big cat. Paul also re-lives his experience confronting a mountain lion in the Canadian Rockies. Paul now investigates reports of big cats in the Scottish Borders and networks with local people to understand the nature of the cats. Word of the week: naturalise 24 January...
BCC EP:16 Scottish landmarks – big cat hideouts
January 24, 2020 21:00 - 49 minutes - 34 MBOur guest Paul recounts his big cat encounters at Glenfinnan and then at Arthur’s Seat near the heart of Edinburgh, where the police also documented a big cat. Paul also re-lives his experience confronting a mountain lion in the Canadian Rockies. Paul now investigates reports of big cats in the Scottish Borders and networks with local people to understand the nature of the cats. Word of the week: naturalise 24 January...
BCC EP:15 Southern Spain’s stranded panther
January 13, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 43.5 MBPeter our guest explains the challenge of living with a freshly released black panther around his property in southern Spain. (An area which is not part of the Iberian lynx’s range). As he realised a panther was making regular visits close to his home, Peter had to adapt to the animal itself, and the different views of his guests, local people, hunters and the police… Words of the week: Xeric, Xerocole 13 January 2020
BCC EP:14 Cumbrian predators - panthers & the Tasmanian tiger
December 28, 2019 19:00 - 47 minutes - 32.7 MBCumbrian sculptor Shawn Williamson recounts his view of a panther spooking deer in the back lanes of the Lake District. He explains how panthers and big cats inspire some of his sculpture making. Rick and Shawn also discuss people’s elemental connections with wildlife including big cats and even the Tasmanian wolf or Thylacine, which itself has a historical link with Cumbria, as Shawn explains. Words of the week: General Impression of Size and Shape (GISS) 28 December 2019
BCC EP:14 The mystique of the panther – sculptural connections
December 28, 2019 19:00 - 47 minutes - 32.7 MBCumbrian sculptor Shawn Williamson recounts his view of a panther spooking deer in the back lanes of the Lake District. He explains how panthers and big cats inspire some of his sculpture making. Rick and Shawn also discuss people’s elemental connections with wildlife including big cats and even the Tasmanian wolf or Thylacine, which itself has a historical link with Cumbria, as Shawn explains. Words of the week: General Impression of Size and Shape (GISS) 28 December 2019
BCC EP:14 Cumbrian predators - panthers & the Tasmanian tiger
December 28, 2019 19:00 - 47 minutes - 32.7 MBCumbrian sculptor Shawn Williamson recounts his view of a panther spooking deer in the back lanes of the Lake District. He explains how panthers and big cats inspire some of his sculpture making. Rick and Shawn also discuss people’s elemental connections with wildlife including big cats and even the Tasmanian wolf or Thylacine, which itself has a historical link with Cumbria, as Shawn explains. Words of the week: General Impression of Size and Shape (GISS) 28 December 2019
BCC EP:13 Lincolnshire - Cats of all sizes
December 15, 2019 16:00 - 53 minutes - 37 MBLincolnshire witnesses Wendy and Angela discuss the quandary of spreading the word about local big cats amongst sceptical neighbours. Wendy was growled at by a puma when she disturbed it stalking feral cats. Her friend Angela is 12 miles away and has encountered black big cats, seeing a mother and young one night. Word of the week: Feral 15 December 2019
BCC EP:12 Secret lynx & soft rewilding
December 01, 2019 10:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBOur guest Peter Taylor suggests that rewilding helps nature and the human soul. He meets Rick at Wild Place, a new outpost of Bristol Zoo. Here brown bears, wolves and lynx can be viewed in a British woodland setting. Peter considers how Eurasian lynx could be re-introduced in Britain but only with support from local communities. Rick and Peter note that spontaneous rewilding has already happened in parts of Britain where large cats are a hidden part of the ecosystem. Watch the video...
BCC EP:12 Secret lynx & soft rewilding
December 01, 2019 10:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBOur guest Peter Taylor suggests that rewilding helps nature and the human soul. He meets Rick at Wild Place, a new outpost of Bristol Zoo. Here brown bears, wolves and lynx can be viewed in a British woodland setting. Peter considers how Eurasian lynx could be re-introduced in Britain but only with support from local communities. Rick and Peter note that spontaneous rewilding has already happened in parts of Britain where large cats are a hidden part of the ecosystem. Watch the video...
BCC EP:11 Puma in the Park – in Orlando and Gateshead
November 13, 2019 19:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBWe meet Gareth who lives in Gateshead district in north-east England. He describes how he had a surprise view of a puma stalking a deer on holiday in Florida a few years back. He then explains what happened early one morning in October 2019 when walking his dog in his local park, when he witnessed the same type of animal. Gareth and Rick consider how a puma might pass through residential areas like Gateshead, and other north-east sightings are discussed. Gareth also wonders why, several ye...
BCC EP:11 Puma in the Park – in Orlando and Gateshead
November 13, 2019 19:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBWe meet Gareth who lives in Gateshead district in north-east England. He describes how he had a surprise view of a puma stalking a deer on holiday in Florida a few years back. He then explains what happened early one morning in October 2019 when walking his dog in his local park, when he witnessed the same type of animal. Gareth and Rick consider how a puma might pass through residential areas like Gateshead, and other north-east sightings are discussed. Gareth also wonders why, several ye...
BCC EP:10 Aussie panthers – secrets of the Bush
October 30, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 46.4 MBAn in-depth discussion on the panthers and pumas reported across Australia with author and researcher Simon Townsend from Victoria. Simon explains why he feels the Australian panthers match black leopards and are not outsize feral cats. Tawny coloured cats resembling pumas are also reported, which Simon includes in his accounts of witness reports. The discussion ranges over the origins of these cats, the likely prey carcasses which Simon examines, and attitudes of remote communities. Docume...
BCC EP:09 Signs on the prey - the science of the tooth marks
October 16, 2019 17:00 - 49 minutes - 34 MBWe discuss how big cats use heathland as their territory with Jonathan McGowan, and hear about two of his encounters in Dorset and the New Forest. He scouts out suspected prey remains of deer in these areas, looking for tell-tale tooth marks on the bones. We then hear from Dr Andrew Hemmings in the lab at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester. After receiving these skeletal remains from Jonathan and others, students gauge the tooth marks to identify those which match the scale an...
BCC EP:09 University lab - the science of the tooth marks
October 16, 2019 17:00 - 49 minutes - 34 MBWe discuss how big cats use heathland as their territory with Jonathan McGowan, and hear about two of his encounters in Dorset and the New Forest. He scouts out suspected prey remains of deer in these areas, looking for tell-tale tooth marks on the bones. We then hear from Dr Andrew Hemmings in the lab at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester. After receiving these skeletal remains from Jonathan and others, students gauge the tooth marks to identify those which match the scale an...
BCC EP:09 Signs on the prey - the science of the tooth marks
October 16, 2019 17:00 - 49 minutes - 34 MBWe discuss how big cats use heathland as their territory with Jonathan McGowan, and hear about two of his encounters in Dorset and the New Forest. He scouts out suspected prey remains of deer in these areas, looking for tell-tale tooth marks on the bones. We then hear from Dr Andrew Hemmings in the lab at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester. After receiving these skeletal remains from Jonathan and others, students gauge the tooth marks to identify those which match the scale an...
BCC EP:09 A predator revealed - Decoding the tooth marks
October 16, 2019 17:00 - 49 minutes - 34 MBWe discuss how big cats use heathland as their territory with Jonathan McGowan, and hear about two of his encounters in Dorset and the New Forest. He scouts out suspected prey remains of deer in these areas, looking for tell-tale tooth marks on the bones. We then hear from Dr Andrew Hemmings in the lab at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester. After receiving these skeletal remains from Jonathan and others, students gauge the tooth marks to identify those which match the scale an...
BCC EP:08 The film-maker & the leopard – a Somerset stand-off
October 03, 2019 18:00 - 44 minutes - 30.6 MBMatt Everett describes holding the gaze of a black leopard after he confronted the animal from his car on a sunken Somerset lane. The incident inspired him to create the forthcoming documentary Britain’s Big Cat Mystery. We hear some of the highlights and challenges from making the production. Our second guest Paul explains his sighting of a black panther in deepest Dorset and the reaction of his dogs on rushing back to the scene. Paul explains how you become more immersed in nature when s...
BCC EP:08 The film-maker & the leopard – a Somerset stand-off
October 03, 2019 18:00 - 44 minutes - 30.6 MBMatt Everett describes holding the gaze of a black leopard after he confronted the animal from his car on a sunken Somerset lane. The incident inspired him to create the forthcoming documentary Britain’s Big Cat Mystery. We hear some of the highlights and challenges from making the production. Our second guest Paul explains his sighting of a black panther in deepest Dorset and the reaction of his dogs on rushing back to the scene. Paul explains how you become more immersed in nature when s...
BCC EP:07 Middle England Pantherwatch
September 22, 2019 16:00 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MBAn in-depth interview with Nigel Spencer reveals how he and his late father supported police follow-up work on big cat reports in Leicestershire & Rutland. Nigel recounts his own sighting of a puma in Essex and summarises key big cat incidents from Leicestershire including from farms, quarries, stables and gardens. Our second guest Emma from Leicestershire explains how she is now extra-cautious when walking in the countryside after retreating from the scene of a panther consuming a rabbit o...
BCC EP:07 Middle England Pantherwatch
September 22, 2019 16:00 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MBAn in-depth interview with Nigel Spencer reveals how he and his late father supported police follow-up work on big cat reports in Leicestershire & Rutland. Nigel recounts his own sighting of a puma in Essex and summarises key big cat incidents from Leicestershire including from farms, quarries, stables and gardens. Our second guest Emma from Leicestershire explains how she is now extra-cautious when walking in the countryside after retreating from the scene of a panther consuming a rabbit o...
BCC EP:06 Call of the Wild – a deeper view of the Chilterns
September 07, 2019 22:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MBIf you thought Buckinghamshire and the Chilterns was a tame area of countryside close to London, maybe think again… We hear from Darren who kept close watch of his dog when he realised a young puma was nearby in scrubby land by an airfield – he felt the mother could be close by. Darren is a councillor and discusses the pros and cons of acknowledging the presence of big cats. We then discuss the recent history of big cat sightings in the Chilterns with Paulo. He grew up in North London but ...
BCC EP:04 Big cats from the Cotswolds to Corbett’s India
September 01, 2019 06:00 - 1 hour - 47.7 MBGloucestershire’s Frank Tunbridge recounts his own close-up encounter with a big cat in the Cotswolds – he watched it snatch some rabbit bait at dusk and it later crept behind and gave him a warning growl. Frank then discusses the stealth of cats like leopards and pumas and refers to the writings of Jim Corbett who tracked leopards and tigers in India last century. We hear highlights from some of the witness reports Frank receives, and the questions these beg… Are the big cats here sometim...
BCC EP:05 Sheep farming in the shadow of a big cat
September 01, 2019 06:00 - 1 hour - 46.7 MBOur two different guests explain the challenges of sheep farming when a big cat makes a visit. Gordon ran a small sheep enterprise when he was based in south Wales. A silent predator would sometimes take one of his ewes (also called yowes) or a tup (young male). Gordon explains how he made adjustments to life on the farm as he realised a large cat was making occasional visits. Our second guest Jean runs a croft in North Scotland. At certain times she and especially her neighbour lose yowes t...