‘Big cats’ are perhaps the most famous subject of Australian cryptozoology (the study of mythical creatures). Since the 19th century, thousands of reports describing large, feline like creatures have given rise to legends including the Gippsland phantom cat, the Blue Mountains Panther, the Tantanoola Tiger, and the big cats of the Sunshine Coast. Victoria is a hot spot for big cat folklore with sightings reported all over the state (save the semi-arid north-west), but none are as well-known (or as studied) as the Grampians puma. For more than 60 years, the Grampians puma has been a beloved campfire tale and when you look out over the wild, rocky terrain of the Grampians, it’s not hard to imagine a secretive cat thriving in the thick bushland. This week, we take a closer look at this fascinating piece of Victorian folklore.
