Loch Ness' Wallabies, Mysterious Cats, and a Flamingo!

If you thought that the Nessies were the only strange things at Loch Ness, it's time to think again...

The Strange Tale of the UK's "Giant Rabbits"

One of the weirder articles I've written, it starts like this...

Well, after a number of articles from me on the menacing Men in Black, ominous Black Eyed Children, UFO conspiracies, and diabolical monsters, it’s time for a bit of light relief. And, no, the title of this article is not a joke! Nor is it April 1st! The United Kingdom is indeed home to “giant rabbits.” At least, it is in a very strange and surreal fashion. As you read on, you’ll see why. And how. I’ll begin with a story from a good mate of mine, Jon Downes. He’s the director of the UK-based Center for Fortean Zoology, a full-time group dedicated to the study of unknown animals. We’re talking about Bigfoot. About Nessie. About the Chupacabra. And, yes, about those “giant rabbits” too.

Jon’s story dates from the late 1970s, when he was valiantly hanging onto the final months of his teens. From a friend named Mike, Jon received a startling story, one which was focused on an area near to where Jon lived at the time: Powderham Woods, located in the English county of Devon. It was while walking through the woods that Mike encountered something remarkable. In Jon’s own words: “Mike had been hunting for chestnuts when he was startled to see what looked like a rabbit, was shaped like a rabbit, and even hopped like a rabbit – it just happened to have been about three feet tall! I sat back slightly dazed. Mike was one of the most reliable witnesses that I have ever had the honor to interview, and he had just told me a spiel of utterly bizarre nonsense. It just didn’t make sense.”

Huge Hares and Beastly Bunnies!

Check out Dr. Karl Shuker's excellent new article on giant-sized rabbits and hares in the UK. Karl makes the interesting point (and I suspect he's right on target) that some reports are likely due to mistaken identity. As for what people may be seeing: wild wallabies, of which there are a number of significantly-sized colonies in the UK.

Wild Wallabies in the UK

That's the strange subject of my latest Mysterious Universe article, which you can find right here...

UK Wallaby Captured

Thanks to Kithra for keeping me informed of the saga of the latest "out of place" wallaby in the UK, which has now been captured...

The Wallaby of the Cemetery

Thanks to Kithra for alerting me to this - another wallaby bouncing around, this one in England's Highgate Cemetery!

Britain's Wallabies

Nope, the wallaby is not indigenous to the wilds of Britain. But, it's there all the same!

I remember when growing up as a kid in Staffordshire, England that sightings would frequently be reported of wallabies on the loose - chiefly in the northern parts of the county, and up into parts of the Peak District, too. And, for a pre-teen Nick Redfern, they made for great and exciting reading!

Sadly, at least from those particular parts of the UK, there are far less reports today. But, there is still the occasional one or two. Other colonies in the UK appear to be doing far better, fortunately.

Of course, there's nothing remotely weird about the presence of the creatures: they (or, rather, the original ones) are simply escapees from zoos, private enclosures, etc that have managed to survive and - sometimes - thrive for decades.

But, it's still a fascinating bit of British culture and oddness. And long may the wallaby call the UK its home!

Here's a new story on the matter from Richard Muirhead and here's one I wrote for Mania.com a few years ago.