Finding Britain’s Big Cats | Series 1 / Episode 4

Finding Britain’s Big Cats
Series 1 - Ryedale, North Yorkshire
Episode 4 - Big Cat Enclave
This is the fourth episode of my documentary series: Finding Britain’s Big Cats. My aim is to contribute to the ever mounting evidence that proves big cats, such as: lynx, panthers, pumas and leopards are living here in the wilds of Great Britain.
I was inspired to make this documentary series after I believe I saw a black big cat while driving on the A64 road. If you are interested in in my experience/sighting then please watch my previous big cat videos in my catalog.
#bigcats #bigcatsuk #bigcatdocumentary #trailcam #trailcamera #documentary #documentaryseries #britishwildlife #findingbritainsbigcats

[@paulatkins5847]

If you're still doing this, here's a suggestion from a man who saw a black panther in Hampshire mid 90s, a huge beast with rippling muscles around 20ft away. Hampshire has miles of underground tunnels formerly used by the MOD during both world wars. Cats are good burglars. If someone could gain access, who knows what they might find...

[@Char66652]

As someone that has seen 2 big cats & being a nature/wildlife photographer i have had some amazing experiences with animals. i liked your vlog. some pointers/tips for you. -Cats are crepuscular (they most active at dawn or dusk) -Follow the deer, cats will do this too. -Listen to the birds, they will often make alarm calls of a predator in the area. -pumas are abush hunters so always look up trees in woodland. If somethings watching you, the chances are there is but it may not be a cat.

[@cyborg66798]

Hello .im part of a team up here in scotland .we are tracking the cats . Try going out at night 3am till dawn as we have had thermal hits during those hours .look for deer trails and set up ur cameras on them u might have more luck ..happy hunting

[@mikeplatts2603]

Enjoyed your video Jake, I must admit to being amazed the second camera was still there looking at the number of people that were staring at it as they went past.

[@teflondom-w80]

Some nice cougars caught on the last cam!

[@JakeYorkman]

😂😂😂

[@S.Trades]

You wouldnt expect silence from such a diverse environment... interesting! If there was a cat in the vicinity, it would have been watching you. Re the dried up pond, the main draw i think, would be from waterfowl, wildlife, coming to drink. Looks ideal cat country!

[@farindeeba543]

For me the big cats are extremely clever illusive animals. They will be in the deepest most untouched areas of woodland and countryside. Well away from human eyes. If you want to find them you’ll have a hard job. But I believe they are definitely out there 💯

[@calgal5752]

It’s so beautiful…..thank you for sharing this. It would be wonderful to ride (my horses) through an area like that. I don’t doubt big cats are out there……They say Texas has more tigers than are in the wild, crazy and so unfortunate. I lived in Abu Dhabi and Dubai where they were popular pets. 😢

[@electoplater]

I had them visit my back garden several times

[@donnablack6280]

You're right to trust instinct. No matter how much rationalisation creeps in, it is always best to trust gut reactions. Recently I heard the story of a woman who hitched a car ride with a couple and their baby. When they stopped at a garage she went to the toilets and had an intuition that she needed to stop and get help. It was such a strong instinct that she even wondered if she could squeeze through the window. Very sadly for her she brushed aside that gut reaction and ended up in a horrible situation. Colleen Stan is her name.

[@stealthandysteath1069]

Hi mate, nice one enjoyed the videos. We have em down in Pembrokeshire... Not just the sheep..... Lol. Beautiful part of country an farm land. Some big cats have bin seen. An as I wildcamp down here seen some strange stuff.. Keep positive an keep pushing forward mate. Tc Andy 🔥🦉🇬🇧

[@JakeYorkman]

Thanks for the kind comment Andy, much appreciated mate and thanks for watching 👍🏻🇬🇧

[@soniabaker9790]

We've seen one in Brixworth nr Northampton, didn't have a camera on us unfortunately.

[@JakeYorkman]

Nice one Sonia. Was it a black big cat?

[@soniabaker9790]

Yes puma we think, also my friend saw one in Earl shilton Leicester recently, and one was spotted in Great Glenn Leicester.

[@JakeYorkman]

@@soniabaker9790 Interesting iv heard of sightings in Earl Shilton before. Thanks for watching Sonia 👍🏻

[@edwardtreadwell3859]

@@soniabaker9790 Great to see one. It is a wierd experience while your brain works out exactly what you are seeing. Was it a Black Leopard ( panther) or a brown puma/mountain lion type?.

[@deangraham8319]

Nice to see your back on with the big cat episodes. The woodland looked ideal for a big cat to lay up, eat. I’ve been interested in them for around 5 years, no sightings yet but like you I place cameras around my local area in West Yorkshire. Was expecting all the walkers on the second cam was a good spot to put it. nice to see ppl don’t notice them in the open or just leave them alone. Keep up the good work 👍

[@JakeYorkman]

Thank you Dean, I am in the process of making many more episodes mate. I will need to revisit this area when it is more accessible and less hot. I think the big cats at the moment will be taking cover, to stay cool. I agree mate, I thought it may have been stolen. But as u can see, many did not even see it. Thanks for the support my friend. I’d be interested to see your results 👍🏻.

[@edwardtreadwell3859]

Great to see you back on the hunt Jake. I was wondering where you had got to. Good luck mate.

[@deangraham8319]

No problem jake, Its nice to hear a Yorkshire man’s accent is covering this subject. I currently have my cam set up at a water source, will collect at weekend see what it’s picked up. shame the old pond at your spot was dried up for you mate, great area that. My results are mainly deer, amazing animal but there definitely on the run from big cats. While Travelling the uk to different and most of time remote houses to do work on for 1-3 days at a time. When I get time not as long as I like but I’m off exploring that area, get to see stunning wildlife and perfect environments for cats Unfortunately Im not in one place long enough to set the camera up the odd times I have I’ve got deer and fox and had 1 stolen. I’ve got images Carcasses and scrapes in Scotland a from couple years ago. All the best in the quest for evidence 👍

[@JakeYorkman]

@@deangraham8319 Keep me up dated on your studies my friend 👍🏻.

[@traciemarsh1611]

you really do look spooked jake. i got an eerie feeling in that woods

[@JakeYorkman]

Yes it didn’t seem right lol. Thanks for watching Tracie 😊

[@Defender200tdi]

The old pond was a better bet, lots of paths converging and near a potential water source. I've hidden my cams at ground level in the undergrowth, they are less conspicuous there. Just watch for false activations from vegetation moving in the wind. Good luck finding a cat 😀

[@JakeYorkman]

Thanks for your comment and for watching mate. Yes, on this occasion there were many false activations due to vegetation blowing in the wind 👍🏻😊.

[@darrinrooke1451]

I saw one in a disused quarry near Helmsley in Rydale

[@JakeYorkman]

Not too far from me that, iv heard many stories in that area. Thanks for watching mate.

[@darrinrooke1451]

I never told anyone in case they thought I was full of shit,it was the size of a labrador, pointed ears,and like a grey colour, DEFO a cat,thanks for your film,I know now it's not just me ,my daughter saw a black panther on Whixley Moor,they reckon it escape d from Knaresborough zoo,it got shut down case the owner was negligence, a few people claim to have seen it all the best mate looking forward to seeing more of your films,they reckon there's a yetti type creature at Danes Dyke near Bridlington

[@stevejones6503]

Your nervous start placing first camera reminded me of the film American Werewolf 😳, "stay on the roads"!!!

[@JakeYorkman]

😂. I felt as though something like that was watching me from the tree canopy.

[@VinceVVlogs]

very nice view brother keep sharing thanks

[@JakeYorkman]

Thank you Vince 🙂👍🏻

[@97657]

Recent dna from hair strands revealed there are pumas I think especially in wales

[@MattBlytheTheOne]

Enjoyed the walk in country side and the aerial footage and music at the start were brilliant. Love the interweaving of history with myth and mystery. I’m surprised your cam on the direction post survived considering how many people noticed it. I think you will be lucky randomly capturing clear footage but you never know. They have a very large territory to cover. I would be leaving cooked chicken out just see what comes around. Good luck. 😊

[@JakeYorkman]

Cheers for your feedback Matt, always appreciated mate. I agree, I won’t leave out chicken bones though just in case a dog got hold of it 👍🏻.

[@MattBlytheTheOne]

@@JakeYorkman Good idea! The night I heard calling I had thrown chicken skin in the garden for the foxes. I reckon that’s what attracted it.

[@JakeYorkman]

@@MattBlytheTheOne Chicken skin is a great shout mate. It will give off the scent! I’m gonna do that myself. Cheers 👍🏻

[@S.Trades]

Probably attract a lot of foxes!

[@JesseP.Watson]

Commented on your other vid about a farmhand I knew who chased a big black car off his land then suddenly remembered I'd seen a lynx on Ilkley moor about 20 years ago now. It passed about 10 yards in front of my car as I was setting off (after flying a kite on the moor) it was indisputably a cat but nothing like a domestic cat as it had the beautiful dappled coat assiciated with Lynx and, most strikingly, the long tufts off its ears, clear as day, no mistaking those. ...It disappeared into the heather immediately, about the size of a full grown fox. Surprised I forgot about it but it was one of those things that is so unexpected and doesn't fit with anything known so you can't really do much with it.

[@JakeYorkman]

Thanks Jesse. Great info there, thanks for the comments 😊👍🏻.

[@DinosaursandMysteries]

Great video Jake! I love this series! Glad your back on this serves! I have a new big cats video out tomorrow. I want to be able to travel to hotspot areas for big cats if ever possible. I'm glad you go to sights and investigate.

[@JakeYorkman]

Thanks mate 👍🏻. Pleased you enjoy these videos. Many more to come and I look forward to your next big cats video tomorrow 😊. I love your new format btw, outside chatting about interesting subjects 👍🏻.

[@DinosaursandMysteries]

@@JakeYorkman I also love that you mentioned the Flixton werewolf! Thanks! I have a small window each week to go out and make a video and take pictures.

[@JakeYorkman]

@@DinosaursandMysteries Thanks mate, yes it seems to be spotted regularly and the locals felt the need to build a hostel to protect travelers. Lorry drives have claimed to have been attacked by it on the stretch of road from Flixton to Scarborough. Weird thing is, there were reports of horse and carriages being viciously attacked hundreds of years ago on the same road. Fascinating subject! I look forward to your future videos 👍🏻.

[@DinosaursandMysteries]

@@JakeYorkman I have read a lot about werewolves and other folklore creatures. A lot of people have had experiences with a werewolf type creature in that area. I lts so fascinating I love it but would be different if ever attacked bu something like that! Look forward to the next one Jake!

[@JakeYorkman]

@@DinosaursandMysteries Cheers mate, yeah there seems to be a ‘hot spot’ between Hull and Scarborough for these sightings. One researcher I came accords thinks there is a population of them roaming the area and it’s not just the same creature. Which would make sense to why it’s gone on for over 1000 years. I might actually make a video in the area about it one day 👍🏻.

[@HR-od9fl]

Great video buddy,keep this series up . You'll get some footage 👍

[@JakeYorkman]

Cheers mate 👍🏻😊.

[@richardpedley6291]

My wife lived in huntly Scotland and she used to walk around kinnor forest a lot and she often saw big cats up thir apparently thir was a tiger x typ big cat romeing around the forest

[@JakeYorkman]

Cheers for the info mate. Also, thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻🙂. Have a good day.

[@edwardtreadwell3859]

This is not the first time Huntly has been mentioned for big cat sightings. Quite a hot spot over recent years. Not too far from Aberdeen i understand.

[@philiproche8115]

Try harwood forest I heard growling for 3 hours but the bush was to thick to get through

[@JakeYorkman]

Thanks mate, might be the setting for another series. Cheers for the suggestion.

[@SomeplaceOrAnother]

That will be cool 😎 if you catch one 👍😀

[@JakeYorkman]

Cheers Brian. Thanks a lot mate.

[@matthewmorris55]

I enjoy your videos looking for big cats are you planning on making anymore ?

[@JakeYorkman]

Thanks Matthew for your kind comment, I may make more one day but since I made this series there has been conclusive DNA evidence that proves big cats do roam Great Britain. Thanks again

[@Wearethewingmakers]

Check out Alex cairneys video, he works and travels round the scottish highlands and he found one at the side of the rd that had been knocked down. He said the bottom of its leg was as big as his arm. I live in SW Scotland and my old nx door neighbour was attacked by one of these things, he didnt know what it was at the time although we did speculate that it couldve been one if those cats as there has been many sightings in our area.

[@JakeYorkman]

Thank you for watching mate, yes I have already seen his videos. He makes some great big cat content. I can very well believe your neighbour was attacked by one. Thanks again mate.

[@Wearethewingmakers]

@@JakeYorkman ill be honest the guy liked a drink so at the time not many people believed him, but its obvious now why that guys hand was gushing the way it was that night. Youre very welcome mate keep it up.

[@Goat.Herder]

Cool subject mate. Just a heads up, you'd best blurring people's faces as on public land you actually need a sign to say there is CCTV monitoring. Good luck with the adventure

[@JakeYorkman]

Cheers mate 👍🏻

[@Mike-James]

I remember reading some time ago, that it was possible to own big cats in this country, then the government put a stop to it. The possibility that some owners released them, seems crazy but yeah.

[@ktwine7994]

Yeah loads of people released them into the wild and have since admitted doing so It really is a fascinating subject.

[@SteveyC335]

Good videos mate, but you really need to leave the cameras there for months, and maybe change the batteries couple times.

[@JakeYorkman]

I agree mate, I will do this once I get some better equipment 👍🏻. Thanks for the comment and watching 😊👍🏻

[@SteveyC335]

@@JakeYorkman No worries. You're a good watch. Enjoying the vids. Keep up the good work 👍🏾 .

[@trevorfuller1078]

The East Yorkshire Panther was purportedly often sighted during 1990s & early 2,000s & then frequently reported on by local & national press & media! Furthermore, these instances were then also actively investigated by Police & the Authorities on a regular basis, particularly focusing upon such reported sightings, in the Staxton, Nafferton, Stamford Bridge, & Thornton-le-Dale quandrant area! However, no information found from these inquiries was officially definitively & conclusively proved nor disproved on these & related matters by the Authorities, then & since those times! An interesting watch & well reported on! Keep it up!👍🙏🏼😊

[@caterthun4853]

I enjoyed your video. I thought one crossed in front of car few years ago.. But I have one hesitation in accepting their existence. Why has no one got trail cam footage or a skeleton of a big cat

[@JakeYorkman]

Thank you for watching my friend. I agree with you there mate 👍🏻

[@RobertJohnKerrUK]

Ey Up Jake 👍👍 ......can I just say fantastic video Loving the drama of the dark eerie Woods hahaha You're nearly as bad as me with the cows lol You definitely got paranoid but it really set a good Mysterious feel for the video I am interested in the subject of big cats in the UK Contact me privately maybe we could collaborate,,, 👍👍👍

[@JakeYorkman]

Thank you very much for the feedback Rob, much appreciated as always. Of course, I’d love to collab with you mate, be great! Can u send me your email or can you email me on [e-mail]? Cheers mate.

[@irelandsown6466]

Hey bud, any tree scratches in those areas ?

[@JakeYorkman]

Hello my friend, yes tree scratches are very common in this area. Thanks for the support mate.

[@gillwilloughby9756]

Moor please

[@ladyredgarnet1815]

Did you find ? Hehehe

[@JakeYorkman]

Noooo lol. Hope u r ok LadyRed

[@ladyredgarnet1815]

@@JakeYorkman 😂 I'm fine . Stay safe .

[@obryan240]

Send me a plane ticket from Seattle and ill go explore those woods with you 😊. Plenty of mountain lions in my area. Would love to explore the forests of Europe for wildlife some day.

[@martinmcguire9974]

Are you gonna find one then or are you just gonna keep fannying around talking about it ?

[@JakeYorkman]

Found one in episode one mate.

[@martinmcguire9974]

@@JakeYorkman I'll have a butchers now

[@mariemccann5895]

Very dramatic and good scene setting, but as always, not a shred of evidence. Why the feigned paranoia and why not speak to the farmer? *Shock horror* the farmer might be human! Not sure you are cut out for this. By the end of the episode you were coming across as suffering from a mild psychotic episode. You would be well advised to seek professional help if you suffer up and down mood swings like this at all often before it escalates.

[@mickey2927]

Couldn't make it into the forest 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@JakeYorkman]

What Forest?

[@philwilmot7178]

The feeling you got is what many around the world say they get when in sasquatch area.. 🌍😁 Not saying thats in there 🙄..! The cats are out there 😻 been spotted here in devon and around this area 😁

[@JakeYorkman]

Cheers for the comment mate. Lol, you are right there. Yes, Devon seems to be a hotspot for big cat activity 👍🏻.

[@philwilmot7178]

@@JakeYorkman i met a guy at a fire evening and he went out took reports and was a tracker.. He allso liked fungi of all types 😁 keep going..allso have you seen any scratch marks in any these areas.. 😊Have fun..

[@JakeYorkman]

@@philwilmot7178 Cheers Phil, iv never actually seen scratch marks. But then again I don’t think I’d know what I’m looking for mate, to indicate a big cat.