2026-07-31 12:00:23
A wildlife photographer claims to have spotted a panther crossing a main road in Wales
The snapper – named only as Chris – was driving south on the A470 in the evening of July 21 when a massive cat ran out in front of the car before disappearing into undergrowth.
The sighting was reported to Puma Watch North Wales with Chris explaining: “[I was] driving south on the A470 the animal walked from left to right across the road in front of the car, around 30 metres away. It disappeared into undergrowth.
“I’m a wildlife photographer and it definitely wasn’t a dog/domestic cat/fox. As I was driving I don’t have a photo unfortunately.”
The organisation reports Chris believed “the animal to be a panther”.
The sighting took place between the villages of Trawsfynydd and Bronaber in Gwynedd and Puma Watch reports the cat could have been running from a wildfire which was raging in the area at the time, stating: “The area west of Trawsfynydd has been affected by a huge wildfire in recent weeks, which was still raging at the time of the sighting and may have pushed any big cats to relocate further afield and could lead to an increase in sightings.”
It comes just months after a dog walker was left “shocked” after an encounter with a Welsh “panther”.
The woman – named only as Jan – was walking her dog through woodland on Nant-y-Gamar, close to the town of Llandudno in Wales, back in April when she was stopped in her tracks by a big cat which dashed out in front of her.
She told Puma Watch North Wales: “I was walking the dog on a path by the woods on Nant Y Gamar hill, and I saw what I thought was a panther run through the woods as I was looking in through the big hole in the wall [local landark].
“The panther/cat/puma didn’t see me but I was very excited to see it, if not a little shocked.”
Jan reported her sighting after the organisation launched its Big Cat Awareness Campaign, which is running throughout July and encourages members of the public to come forward to document any potential sightings of big cats in the wild.
As part of the campaign, the group issued safety advice for hikers and dogwalkers in Wales following a spate of big cat sightings.
Reports of large cats such as panthers and pumas on the loose in Wales have surged in recent months with Puma Watch North Wales claiming sightings have increased by 74 per cent in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year.
The organisation’s safety guidelines state: “The species of big cat known to inhabit North Wales are reclusive, solitary animals which avoid human contact. “Provided you don’t deliberately approach or follow one, it’s very unlikely to show any aggression and will likely disappear into safety before you reach any close distance.
“If you’re planning to visit an area where pumas or other big cats are known to live, such as parts of Eryri, the Clwydian Range, or even Wepre Park, following these tips will minimise your chances of a frightening encounter with a big cat.”
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