A quiet drive through the countryside turned into a moment of disbelief for one man who claims he came face to face with a creature long whispered about in local folklore.
James Moore, 42, is a marketing manager by day, but by night and at weekends he pursues a very different passion - investigating reports of mysterious animals and unexplained encounters across the UK.
Based in Bampton and preparing to move to Alphington, James balances family life and a full-time career with what he describes as a lifelong fascination with cryptozoology - the study of hidden or unknown animals.
“I first became interested in the subject as a child through picking up books on the unexplained from jumble and car boot sales,” James said.
Growing up in Mid Devon, he frequently visited Exmoor, where reports of so-called “alien big cats” captured his imagination.
“Of course I loved anything that came up on TV on the subject - particularly the Fortean TV show on Channel 4,” he said. “I also loved nature shows and adventure films such as the Indiana Jones movies.”
Despite drifting away from the subject during his teenage years, James later rediscovered his interest while living in Essex, combining it with a growing enthusiasm for content creation.
His most striking experience came while driving along the B3227 near Bampton.
“I noticed a large black creature walking up a field to my left,” James said. “I looked at it and said, ‘that looks like the Exmoor Beast’. My daughter was in the car and saw it too.”
He described the animal as being roughly the size of a large dog, but said its appearance and movement set it apart.
“It looked much sleeker and lower to the ground than a dog of that size,” he said. “It moved in a fluid way, rather than the trot of a dog.”
James was unable to stop safely to take a photograph, but later returned to the area to assess the terrain, noting nearby woodland above the fields.
“It was disbelief,” he said. “After so many years of interest and having lived near Exmoor for only a few months, I could see such a thing.”
After sharing his account online, he said others came forward with similar stories.
“I have had a lot of positive feedback from others,” James added. “Others shared their sightings.”
James’s investigations have also led him to consider the possibility of a British equivalent of Bigfoot - something he once dismissed.
“Despite an unusual experience growing up, I never considered Bigfoot could live here due to how little wilderness we have left,” he said.
His views shifted after reading accounts and noticing similarities with sightings reported in North America.
“The icing on the cake was finding out Jon Downes, head of the Centre for Fortean Zoology and a Devon local, had had a sighting,” James said.
While exploring a wooded area, James said he discovered unusual footprints in wet ground.
“They looked almost like a child’s bare footprint in a water-logged area,” he said. “It was a cold early spring day, so no child would be walking in the wet mud on such a day.”
Although he photographed the prints, analysis later suggested they may have been formed by overlapping tracks.
James also spoke to a witness he described as a former soldier, who reported seeing a “ten foot tall creature” crossing a road during an early morning delivery.
“I always try to make a character assessment before I feature someone,” James said. “Do they have a reason to lie? Do they seem like attention-seekers or hoaxers?”
James is open about the challenges of investigating such claims in the UK, where access to land can be restricted and time is limited.
“We do not have the vast areas of public land like America does,” he said. “Many areas of interest near me are private and thus off limits.”
Despite this, he believes the UK landscape could support elusive species.
“Do we have large mammals living here? Yes — deer, wild boar,” James said. “Are some of those rarely seen? Yes.”
“With DNA recovered in Gloucestershire and Cumbria proving we have wild big cats in the UK, then why not another elusive predator?”
While he accepts that some sightings may be misidentifications or have other explanations, he believes a small number could point to something yet to be formally recognised.
“That leaves the genuine cases, which I believe represent a novel, undocumented hominid primate,” he said.
For James, the pursuit is not about proving others wrong, but about exploring possibilities.
“I am not looking to make anyone a believer,” he said. “All I would say is consider the testimonies, evidence and plausibility.”
His interest also extends into scientific study, with plans to complete a certification in forensic hair analysis.
“It helps inspire me and keep me fit, as well as connect with like-minded individuals,” he added.
While his hobby may raise eyebrows, James keeps it largely separate from his day-to-day life.
“I do not go around talking about it openly, as I am aware of a bit of a stigma,” he said.
But whether in the office or out in the field, his curiosity remains constant - driven by the same sense of wonder that began in childhood.
To find out more watch videos at www.youtube.com/@cryptidwatchchannel
He can be emailed with big cat, Bigfoot or other mystery animal sightings at christianwildfoodbushcraft@gmail.com
