Well, that went rather well! In fact more than well; the inaugural Big Cat Festival on 20th May was the best event Bradt has ever hosted. This was a genuine celebration, a chance for wildlife enthusiasts to have a proper wallow in all things big cat. We were joined by some of the UK’s leading names in conservation, broadcasting and photography to explore big cats on film and on canvas, in literature and through the camera lens. We heard extraordinary tales of raising and releasing cheetah and lion cubs by John Rendall, Derek Cattani and Princess Michael of Kent; we got a privileged look behind the scenes of the BBC’s Big Cats series with producer/director Gavin Boyland; the nature writer Mike Unwin described how his lifelong love of wildlife was triggered by some of the classic portrayals of big cats in literature; Paul Goldstein took a madcap trawl through the agonies and ecstasies of capturing cats on camera, and Jonathan Truss offered advice on how to be a wildlife artist. Jonathan Scott, presenter of BBC’s Big Cat Diary, talked about his time following the Marsh Pride, and showed some of his wife Angie’s stunning photos. We wrapped up the day considering the future for big cats with conservationists Laurie Marker, Carey Widdows and Sarah Durant. And in between all this were chances to meet and talk to the speakers.  
 
If you missed out on getting tickets, we hope to host another Big Cat Festival next year. Watch this space. In the meantime, click on the video link above for a taster of the day.

Hope to see you next year!

Adrian Phillips
Managing Director
Bradt Travel Guides