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Are there really panthers in the Blue Mountains?
People have reported seeing large, dark cats around Lithgow and the Blue Mountains for years. Those reports have not established that a panther—or any other exotic big cat—is living wild in the region. The distinction matters: a sighting can be genuine while the animal’s identity remains uncertain.
In 2009, a NSW investigation examined video, plaster casts of tracks, photographs, and hair, saliva and faecal samples submitted in response to reports. Its conclusion, as reported by the ABC, was that “There was no conclusive evidence found.” Investigators considered the paw prints most likely to be from a large dog. Read the ABC account of the investigation.
Is the Lithgow panther real?
The Lithgow panther remains an unverified claim, not a scientifically demonstrated animal population. To establish that a big cat is present, evidence would need to identify the animal reliably—for example, usable images or biological samples that experts could verify—and ideally be repeatable or independently corroborated. The 2009 investigation did not produce conclusive evidence of that kind.
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Tracks and distant sightings can be difficult to identify. A footprint that looks feline at first glance is not proof of a cat, especially when investigators judged the submitted prints most likely to belong to a large dog. A compelling report deserves attention, but it cannot establish a species or breeding population on its own.
Are feral cats found in the Blue Mountains?
Yes. Feral cats (Felis catus) are documented in the Blue Mountains and surrounding country, including remote locations. That confirmed presence is separate from claims about panthers: a feral cat is a domestic cat living wild, not an exotic big cat.
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What local records show
A survey of the north-eastern part of Blue Mountains National Park noted that the exact distribution and abundance of feral cats were poorly known. At the time, only one record appeared in the Atlas of NSW Wildlife for that area. The survey also described cats as elusive and cautioned that sparse records do not prove they are absent; it considered low-density presence across most habitats likely. See the Blue Mountains fauna survey.
A Greater Southern Sydney pest report recorded 18 feral-cat sightings at locations including Lizard Creek, Bowmans Hut, Colong Caves and Narrowneck Plateau in the upper Blue Mountains. It also included a report from Lacys Tableland, evidence that cats can occur in remote, relatively undisturbed country. These records establish feral-cat reports in the region; they do not support an exotic-panther identification. Read the Greater Southern Sydney pest report.
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How many feral cats are there?
A 2012–17 NSW Office of Environment and Heritage strategy estimated 400,000 feral cats in NSW and about 12 million across Australia. These are estimates cited in that historical strategy, not a current census or a count of cats in the Blue Mountains. Consult the NSW Blue Mountains Regional Pest Management Strategy.
Could big cats be living in the Australian bush?
The cited NSW investigation did not find conclusive evidence of a large free-ranging exotic cat near Lithgow. It cannot prove that an animal could never be present elsewhere in Australia, but the material here does not establish a self-sustaining population of panthers, cougars or similar cats in the Australian bush.
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Feral cats are a different and well-documented issue. The Australian Government identifies them as a major threat to wildlife and provides FeralCatScan for recording sightings, control activity and impacts. A 2004 Australian Government review listed feral cats as a known or perceived threatening process for 58 species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. That figure is from the review, not a current count of affected species. See the Australian Government’s feral-cat information and reporting guidance; read the 2004 review.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What animal made the tracks?
For the paw prints submitted to the 2009 NSW investigation, the reported expert assessment was “most likely” a large dog. That is the strongest specific identification in the cited investigation; the records do not establish that every reported track in the region came from a dog.
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When assessing a suspected big-cat trace, useful questions include:
- Is the evidence identifiable? Clear, usable images or biological material that can be examined are more informative than an impression or distant glimpse.
- Can the observation be repeated or independently confirmed? Multiple well-documented observations are stronger than a single unverified report.
- Does expert identification support the claim? A track or sample should withstand scrutiny rather than merely resemble evidence of a cat.
These checks help separate an observation from a conclusion about species. They do not turn an unclear image, footprint or sighting into proof.
What should you do if you see a suspected feral cat?
- Keep your distance. Do not approach, corner or try to handle the animal.
- Record what you can safely observe. Note the location, date and time; take photographs if possible; and describe distinguishing features without putting yourself or the animal at risk.
- Report it through an appropriate channel. The Australian Government directs people to FeralCatScan to record sightings, control and impacts. Use relevant NSW reporting channels where appropriate.
Reporting a suspected feral cat supports monitoring. It does not, by itself, verify a panther claim.
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