Freedom of Information Request - 'big cats' in Scotland
Date: 10 February 2025
Our ref: SIR178543/A4977516
Information Request – 'big cats' in Scotland
Your Request
Q1) Could you please tell me how many separate sightings/reports of 'big cats' in Scotland have been reported to NatureScot since January 2020.
Q2) Could you please send me any information held by NatureScot relating to reports, sightings, encounters with or evidence of ‘big cats’ or other large unidentified creatures in Scotland since January 2020, including any photographs of interest.
Our Response
Following a search of the information we hold our response is attached separately.
We have marked out (redacted) some personal data in the documents provided. Releasing the personal data into the public domain in response to an access to information request would breach the Data Protection Act 2018. We are therefore withholding the information under EIRs Regulation 11(2) (Personal data).
While four lynx were illegally released in the Cairngorms National Park in January 2025, lynx is generally considered to be a medium-sized cat rather than one of the big cat species. In response to the recent illegal release, in January 2025, NatureScot’s statement was published on our website. RZSS's statement is also available on their website.
How We Handled Your Request
We believe you have asked for environmental information as defined in the Environmental Information (Scotland Regulations 2004 (‘the EIRs’), so we are dealing with your request under those regulations. To be able to use the EIRs, we must apply an exemption under section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (‘FOISA’). The Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance recommends that public authorities apply this exemption to environmental information and handle request under the EIRs.
If you would like to find out more about the access to information legislation, there is a guidance booklet available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website.
Review and Appeal
I hope this information meets your requirements, but if you are dissatisfied with how we have responded to your information request, please write to us within 40 working days explaining your concerns. You can contact us at Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW or email us at [email protected]. We will carry out a review of our response and contact you with our findings within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied following this, you can make an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months. The Scottish Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer,
NatureScot
Document downloads
Due to accessibility issues the attached information, referenced above, is available on request by contacting the FOI team at [email protected]. Please reference the case number (starting with SIR).
