UFO’s, Black-Eyed Children, Werewolves and…. A Pigman? Part 2: Big Cats & Werewolves

In the previous installment, we delved into the story of Cannock Chase's most famous resident, The Pigman. However, this area harbours not just one cryptid but a range of mysterious creatures, including big cats and werewolves.

While the United Kingdom isn't typically associated with cryptids, it's widely recognised for its big cat sightings. With no native big cats in the country, such reports raise eyebrows. Some animals, like dogs or small deer inhabiting the area, could be mistaken for big cats from a distance. When such sightings are reported, they garner significant attention. Although big cat sightings are scattered throughout the UK, Cannock Chase and its surroundings have had a significantly higher number of reports. In 2002 alone, over 100 sightings were reported in the area. Sightings date back to the 1970s, and some even claim there may have been big cats in the area since the 1940s.

Among the most frequently reported big cats in the area is what appears to be a Black Puma or something very similar. In late 2013, a man and his son were driving along Penkridge Bank Road, which cuts through the heart of Cannock Chase, when they spotted a large cat. It was roughly the size of a fully grown Labrador but slightly longer and appeared black or very dark in color. It swiftly crossed the road in front of them, disappearing into the underbrush.

Physical evidence has strengthened the belief that big cats inhabit the area. In the summer of 2009, local resident Kevin Hooper stumbled upon a large paw print measuring five inches across and six inches in length. This discovery came shortly after the carcass of a deer with injuries suggesting an attack by a large cat was found. More evidence emerged in the form of tree scratches found throughout the area, matching marks left on trees in countries with native big cats, such as Africa, India, and North & South America. In 2004, a visitor to the area even captured a picture of what looked like a very large black cat sitting in a tree.

During the 1960s and 70s, owning a big cat was a trend among the wealthy. In 1976, the government introduced the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, offering owners of such animals three choices:

1. Obtain a license and build suitable facilities for the animal's safety and security.

2. Rehome the animal at a zoo or with an authorized individual.

3. Euthanize the animal.

Many animals were given to zoos or authorized individuals, but due to the inability to house them, many were euthanized. Surprisingly, releasing animals into the wild was not illegal until the law was updated in 1981, leading some owners to choose this option over euthanasia. This suggests the possibility of large cats living wild in the UK, with an abundance of available food (deer, rabbits, domestic cats & dogs) and vast areas for them to remain undetected (Cannock Chase alone covers 68 km2), making it not only possible but potentially likely.

Another cryptid believed to inhabit the area is drawn from fairy tales and folklore: the werewolf. A werewolf is an individual who can transform from a human into a wolf, typically due to a bite, scratch, or curse. Although werewolf lore has been around for centuries, reports from Cannock Chase seem to date back to as recently as the 1970s. While not sighted as frequently as the big cats, there have been several dramatic encounters.

In 2007, a mailman was conducting his daily rounds when he saw what he initially thought was a large dog. To his astonishment, as soon as the creature noticed him, it raised up on its hind legs and fled into a wooded area. Another encounter occurred when three teenagers came across what they described as a large wolf rummaging through trash. Similar to the mailman's account, the creature fled on its hind legs when it noticed the teenagers. In 2009, two mountain bikers were riding one of the area's many trails when they spotted an upright figure in the distance. While it appeared as tall as a human, it seemed to be slightly stooped, resembling a dog walking on its hind legs. Remarkably, the bikers had a video camera attached to their helmets, capturing the encounter. Additionally, eerie howls have been heard, with a dog walker fleeing the area after hearing terrifying howls and spotting two large yellow eyes peering from the darkness.

I also had a peculiar encounter that may have involved some sort of wolf-like creature recently. Although I wouldn't call it a werewolf since it didn't exhibit the typical behaviour associated with werewolves, it left me perplexed. I was staying at my regular hotel in Norton Canes, approximately 5 miles from Cannock Chase. I awoke around 3:45 am and saw a figure, possibly around 3 feet tall, standing next to the window. As I began to sit up, it retreated into the darkened corner of the room and vanished. It didn't appear to float but rather took a step back before disappearing. I distinctly saw the creature's face, which had some dog-like features but also seemed to possess human qualities. While I remain open to the possibility that it could have been a trick of my groggy, just-awakened mind, I can't shake the feeling that I truly witnessed something unusual. What that something was, I wish I knew.

The origin of these tales can be traced back to the mid-1970s when reports of werewolves in the area first emerged. Legend has it that in 1975, a boy from the nearby town of Eccleshall visited the Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery and, with the help of an Ouija board, made contact with the devil, selling his soul in exchange for the ability to transform into a werewolf. Shortly thereafter, the boy's friend received a frantic phone call from him, reporting strange, guttural noises and his fear of transforming. Tragically, the boy allegedly committed suicide by stabbing himself with a silver knife. Following this incident, reports of a werewolf haunting the area began to surface