SIGHTINGS TIMELINE

(SELECTED)

1993

A large black cat about the size of a labrador was seen by a woman mountain biking in the Twizel area at a distance of about 30 metres. MAF was notified of the sighting, and explained the incident as the misidentification of a large feral cat.

1998

A large cat resembling a mountain lion was observed in the Dunstan Ranges near Cromwell. Once again the animal was described as the size of a labrador and having a dark orange, mustard -coloured pelt.

1999

Several sightings from the Mackenzie Country to Moeraki, including a photograph of a large cat crossing a paddock near Omarama. A large mountain lion-like animal is seen in the Lindis Pass area and photographed by a pair of British tourists. It comes to be known as the “Lindis Lion”.

2001

Sightings of a large black cat in the Alford Forest, Mayfield, near Ashburton, and Fairlington.

2003

After further sightings of the Alford and Fairlington cats, a team of investigators investigate but nothing conclusive was found. Pawprints are photographed at Wakanui farm (near Ashburton) and examined by a big cat expert from Christchurch’s Orana Park. The verdict: ‘there was every chance they belonged to a panther’. In an article in The Southland Times, MAF rules out the possibility of the alleged cats had escaped from any legal activity (circuses and zoos).

2005

Mark Brosnahan of Mid Canterbury photographs a big black cat crouching in long grass.

2006

Another sighting of a large black cat is seen near the Ashburton River by Brent Thomas: “...Before I was sceptical, but seeing something with your own eyes is very definite. The stories ARE true, I have seen it.”

2011

A large cat is filmed on the inland Kaikoura Road during a snowstorm.