Lyla Lindsey
Australia has more than 11 million cats, which are present in over 90% of the country, including all major islands. Cats were introduced to Australia with the First Fleet in 1788. While most of these are domesticated pets, there are also up to 6 million feral cats in the country. Feral cats have contributed to the extinction of at least 22 endemic Australian mammals and are considered the most damaging invasive pest by cost. In addition to these smaller cats, there have been numerous reports of big cat sightings in Australia, including the Blue Mountains panther, also known as the Lithgow panther, and the Gippsland cougar.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cats in Australia | More than 11 million |
| Number of feral cats in Australia | 6 million |
| Year cats were introduced to Australia | 1788 |
| Year first feral cats were recorded in Australia | 1824 |
| Big cat sightings in Australia | Blue Mountains panther/Lithgow panther, Gippsland cougar, Grampians puma |
| Year big cat sightings began in Australia | 1900s |
| Year big cat sightings increased in Kula, Hawaii | 2002 |
| Year big cat was suspected to be prowling the Australian wilderness | 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
The Blue Mountains panther
The existence of the Blue Mountains Panther is largely based on eyewitness encounters and circumstantial evidence. Reports include large feline-type scratches found high on trees and the carcasses of sheep and cattle supposedly killed and dragged into trees by a large, powerful predator. In 2002, a teenager from Kenthurst named Luke Walker reported being attacked by a large feline, suffering deep lacerations. Another young boy from Kenthurst was badly scratched by a large cat outside his home.
There are several theories about the origin of the Blue Mountains Panther. One theory suggests that the panther descended from big cats released by World War II US soldiers, which were used as military mascots. Another theory points to travelling circuses or escaped circus animals, while others speculate that big cats were available for black market purchase in New South Wales in the 20th century.
Despite the numerous sightings and reports, there is no conclusive evidence of the Blue Mountains Panther's existence. A 2003 report by the New South Wales State Government stated that it was "more likely than not" that there were exotic big cats living near Sydney. However, a 2013 report by invasive species expert John Parkes concluded that there was no evidence of a big cat in the Blue Mountains, although the author privately expressed belief in the possibility of a small population.
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The Gippsland cougar
Sightings of exotic big cats in Australia have occurred for over a hundred years. The New South Wales State Government reported in 2003 that it was "more likely than not" that there were exotic big cats living in the bushlands near Sydney. One such example is the Blue Mountains Panther, which has been sighted in the Blue Mountains area west of Sydney for over a century.
While some speculate that these phantom cats are descendants of circus or zoo escapees, others propose that they are the progeny of military mascots. A video of a large black cat near Lithgow was examined by experts who concluded that it was a large domestic cat, two to three times the normal size.
In 2010, Cougar Energy signed a joint venture with Ignite Energy Resources to develop an Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) project in Victoria's Gippsland region. This project aimed to utilise UCG technology from Ergo Exergy Technologies and focused on the exploration lease EL 4416, which covers approximately 400 km² of lignite-rich Gippsland area.
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The Grampians puma
Over the years, these big cats are thought to have bred and multiplied, thriving off the abundant wildlife in the Grampians National Park and livestock. While there is some inconclusive evidence, such as paw marks, livestock attacks, hair, and scat, there is a lack of conclusive primary evidence to confirm the presence of a puma population in the Grampians. Feral cats are often cited as the most likely explanation for the numerous sightings of big cats in Victoria over the past century.
In 1970, Dr. John Henry, a lecturer from Deakin University, launched a study in the Grampians to investigate the numerous reports of big cat sightings. Dr. Henry concluded that there was "sufficient evidence from a number of intersecting sources to affirm beyond reasonable doubt the presence of a big-cat population in Western Victoria." He believed that this population of big cats likely dated back to March 1942 and originated in the Grampians Mountain Ranges. Dr. Henry's report also mentioned the discovery of sheep carcasses in the rugged Geranium Springs Valley and mutilated animal carcasses on the valley floor. Droppings recovered from the area were identified by a leading US big cat expert as matching puma faeces. Additionally, casts of two large carnivore prints were judged by US experts as matching those of a puma.
Despite the numerous sightings and some compelling evidence, no conclusive proof has been found to confirm the existence of the Grampians puma. In 2012, the state government conducted an investigation into the big cat sightings but concluded that large cats were unlikely to live in Victoria due to a lack of evidence. However, with countless reports and some inconclusive evidence, the mystery of the Grampians puma continues to fascinate locals and tourists alike, with day tours even being offered to locations where sightings have been reported.
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The Tantanoola tiger
Australia has had several sightings of exotic big cats over the last century. One of the earliest recorded sightings was in the Gippsland region of southeastern Victoria, where American World War II airmen allegedly released cougars they had brought as mascots into the Australian bush.
Tantanoola has a small population, and the town has declined over the years, with many businesses closing down. Despite this, the community is welcoming and happy to share their knowledge of tigers, wolves, and shipwrecks. The Tantanoola Tiger has even inspired a book, 'The Tantanoola Tiger' by Neville Bonney, who is also a source of information on the creature.
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Feral cats
To address this issue, Australia has implemented threat abatement plans under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The 2024 Threat Abatement Plan for predation by feral cats is a joint effort by multiple states and territories, aiming to reduce the impact of feral cats on native species.
Additionally, there are calls for stronger laws, mandatory microchipping and desexing of cats, improved pet cat containment, and increased investment in feral cat management tools. The effectiveness of various control tools, such as Felixer grooming traps, is also being explored. The goal is to protect Australia's unique wildlife and prevent further extinctions caused by feral cats.
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Frequently asked questions
While there are no native big cats in Australia, there have been numerous reports of large felines in the country. The most famous of these is the Blue Mountains panther, also called the Lithgow panther. There have also been reports of the Gippsland cougar and the Grampians puma in Victoria.
The Blue Mountains panther, or Lithgow panther, is a legendary panther said to roam the dense forests of New South Wales, Australia. The legend is fueled by frequent reports of a large, black feline in the Grose Vale area of the Blue Mountains. In 1999, the NSW Government opened an active file on the phenomenon.
In addition to the Blue Mountains panther, there have been reports of other large felines in Australia, including the Gippsland cougar and the Grampians puma in Victoria, and an unidentified large cat in Queensland.
The main evidence for the existence of big cats in Australia comes from eyewitness reports and physical evidence such as paw prints. For example, in the case of the Blue Mountains panther, there have been frequent reports of a large, black feline in the area, and large, unexplained paw prints have been discovered in the Blue Mountains. Additionally, a study by Deakin University concluded that the existence of big cats in the Grampian Mountains area was probable, despite a lack of definitive evidence.
