London, a bustling metropolis renowned for its iconic landmarks and vibrant culture, has surprisingly become the unexpected backdrop for numerous “big cat” sightings over the past five years. Between 2019 and January 2024, the Metropolitan Police recorded an astonishing 25 reports from residents convinced they had spotted elusive wild felines, a phenomenon typically associated with remote, wilder landscapes.
These bewildering big cat sightings London encompass a remarkable array of species, including alleged pumas, tigers, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and even lynx, purportedly prowling the densely packed capital. While many reports ultimately proved to be false alarms—ranging from misidentified domestic cats to even large stuffed toys—the sheer volume of calls underscores a persistent public fascination and concern regarding unexplained sightings in urban environments.
A significant historical precedent exists, lending a degree of credibility to the more unusual animal encounters. In May 2001, the legendary “Beast of Barnet,” a lynx named Lara, was successfully captured in a residential Cricklewood garden. This confirmed incident, which required armed officers and zoo specialists, demonstrated that genuine wild animal appearances in London, though exceedingly rare, are not entirely beyond the realm of possibility.
More recently, Met Police reports include a peculiar call in January detailing two baby tigers allegedly “squabbling” near London Zoo in Regent’s Park. Despite the sensational nature of the claim, the bustling environment and absence of corroborating evidence led officers to classify it as unconfirmed, highlighting the challenges in verifying such fleeting glimpses.
Another notable unconfirmed urban wildlife incident occurred in the previous year in Fulham, where a concerned neighbour reported a large tiger in an adjacent garden, only for it to later be revealed as a plush toy. Similarly, a reported lynx in Haringey was suspected by the caller to be merely a large domestic cat, leading to no official response, further illustrating the prevalence of misidentification in these mysterious animals cases.
The only truly “possibly confirmed” incident among the recent batch involved a large cat in Hampstead Garden Suburb in May 2020. Initially believed to be a cheetah, it was later identified as a crossbreed from a Savannah cat that was cornered but ultimately managed to evade capture, marking it as the closest to a verified wild animal news story in the period.
In response to these sporadic big cat sightings, an RSPCA spokesperson emphasized the rarity of genuine encounters while advising public vigilance. They recommend that anyone who believes they have spotted a large wild cat immediately contact the police. Additionally, individuals should reach out to their local authority, which holds responsibility for zoo licensing and Dangerous Wild Animals Act licensing, as a potential escapee could originate from an authorized premises.
