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Big Cats VictoriaPanthers and other predators, including Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger)
"Absence of proof is not proof of absence"
- William Cowper, poet and hymnodist, late C18 |
Southern Australia, including south western West Australia, has a history of reports of ‘panther’ like predators dating back to the later half of the 19th century. The animals were usually described as being of black or tan colouration and with the proportions of a medium sized big-cat such as a Leopard or Puma. The records can be found in newspaper, radio and television archives, Government reports, a very few books and on the internet. The historical material is based on anecdotal reportage and has contributed to the mythification of the subject.
Some Government agencies at both State and Local levels (in New South Wales), have collected records of sightings or investigated stock deaths purported to be associated with so called ‘panther’ kills. They remain understandably non committal due to the lack of a specimen of such a predator of undeniable authenticity. While other types of unknown predator have been reported in various parts of Australia they are not the concern of this website.
For purposes of economy we, John Turner and Simon Townsend, confine our investigations to western Victoria and south eastern South Australia.
Some Government agencies at both State and Local levels (in New South Wales), have collected records of sightings or investigated stock deaths purported to be associated with so called ‘panther’ kills. They remain understandably non committal due to the lack of a specimen of such a predator of undeniable authenticity. While other types of unknown predator have been reported in various parts of Australia they are not the concern of this website.
For purposes of economy we, John Turner and Simon Townsend, confine our investigations to western Victoria and south eastern South Australia.
Bambra, 2005View of a predated adult female eastern grey kangaroo found by Simon Townsend in State Forest. Her head, left fore limb, shoulder and ribs as well as the heart, lungs and liver were consumed. The carcase was so fresh that, though found at dawn. |
NOT THIS...Not a panther track as suspected by the finder. This is the spoor left by a macropod, probably a wallaby from the greater Geelong region 10/06/2010. |
Red Hill, 06/07/08
Ewe killed and partially eaten. Unusually, gut contents have been spilled and a portion carried away. |
SIGHTING REPORTSWe constantly receive reports from around Australia about sightings that may or may not be of a big cat. Some include photos too, either of tracks or even occasionally of the animal itself.
See for yourself - click the button to go to a spreadsheet with over 350 reports compiled over the last decade. Obviously these reports cannot be verified without real flesh and bone specimens. However, the consistency of most reports suggest unknown species of large felids are present. Seen something yourself? Let us know - contact us Our Book
Fantasy or fact, truly believed or doubted or manufactured, big cat scares have for generations haunted south-eastern Australia. Stories of stock kills and claims of paw-prints have some kind of foundation; rumours of 'beast' attacks feed a persistent mythology ...
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WHO WE AREOUR THANKS
BIGCATS VICTORIA would like to acknowledge the generous support that FORD Australia, in relation to the new FORD PUMA, has given us for our ongoing search for evidence of big cats in Victoria.
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