No one disputes that the cats do travel and show up places that are out of the norm.  But, a "Black" Panther? well in East Texas I will say what the AGGIES say..most mistake them as black because they are seen at night and the shading on the cats are darker on the top..therefore gives off the appearance of black, this is their camouflouge.  All my life I had heard about black panthers around here, never have we seen one...my ex was a wildlife major/ on top of being an Extension Agent and was approached with this subject so many times, he laughed at me when I said that there were "black" panthers here, that was right after we started dating and then he went to educating me.   I can remember the first time I heard a cat scream...omg the shrill sounded like a woman getting killed.  My dad stood outside with me then told me how every spring that they travel this ridge thats not far from our place and he has heard them since he was a young boy, sad thing is that I cant recall hearing them in many years.  If there were truly "black" panthers, cougars, pumas then there would be some kind of pictures of them whether it is dead ones or live ones.  The Biologist do know how to track the animals and they can find them if they are reported.  The interpretations of what is black is sometimes just our eyes playing tricks on us.  And yes we use to have black bears here, but they are all but extinct from here....sad .  Our biggest threat are dogs, they pack up and kill more than coyotes or other predators.  Just my 2 cents worth  but, as I say...take it as you will. 

Everyone have a great Hump Day!!

Easty