Rare black panther caught on video in Texas

A black panther has been caught on video in Texas, according to officials.

The big cat was seen near Tyler, in the eastern part of the state.

"We've had them up here before but never on video," said Jud Heinrich, who shot the footage of the animal. "It's a beautiful animal."

Black panthers are considered a subspecies of leopards and are typically found in Africa and Asia. They are considered rare, and it's believed that there are only about 10,000 of them left in the wild.

Endangered Florida panther killed by vehicle

A Florida panther was killed last week after being hit by a vehicle. It was the third such death in a month, and wildlife officials are increasingly concerned about the future of the state's population of these endangered big cats.

Only around 160 Florida panthers remain in the wild, and these deaths are a significant setback to their conservation. Roadkill is the leading cause of death for panthers, accounting for more than 60% of fatalities, and the animals are particularly vulnerable when they are crossing highways.

Wildlife officials are urging drivers to be watchful for panthers and to take care when driving in areas where they are known to live. They are also asking residents living near panther habitats to help by conserving land and reporting any sightings of the animals.

Panthers were once common throughout most of the southeastern United States, but their range has been greatly reduced due to habitat destruction and hunting. They currently inhabit only a fraction of their original territory, and have been listed as an endangered species since 1973.

Mountain lion mistaken for black panther in California

Mountain lion sightings have been on the rise in California, with some people mistaking the large cat for a black panther.

The mountain lion, or cougar, is a solitary animal that ranges in color from yellowish brown to reddish brown. They can weigh up to 125 pounds and are up to 7 feet long.

Black panthers are not a separate species, but are melanistic (black) versions of leopards and jaguars. They are very rare, accounting for only about 10% of all big cat sightings.

So how can you tell the difference between a mountain lion and a black panther?

Mountain lions are typically larger than black panthers and have shorter tails. Their ears are also proportionately larger than those of black panthers. And while both cats can be aggressive when threatened, mountain lions are generally more likely to attack humans.

If you see what you think might be a mountain lion or black panther in California, don't approach it! Contact your local authorities immediately.

New Jersey woman finds dead panther in her driveway

On Tuesday, a woman in New Jersey made a startling discovery when she found a dead panther in her driveway. The animal is a federally protected species and is believed to have been killed illegally.

This isn't the first time that a panther has been found dead in New Jersey. In fact, this is the eleventh panther to be found dead in the state since January of 2018. Officials believe that most of these deaths are due to poaching, though it's also possible that the animals are dying as a result of becoming territorial or crossing into human territory.

There are only about 200 panthers remaining in the wild, so each death is considered a major loss for the population. In order to protect these animals, law enforcement officials are asking for the public's help in identifying anyone who may be involved in poaching them.

If you have any information about this crime, please contact your nearest law enforcement agency or call 1-877-WILD-HELP.

Panthers may be extinct in twenty years

The IUCN lists the panther as vulnerable, with a decreasing population trend, because of hunting and habitat loss. The animals are killed either for their skin or to control their numbers

The Florida panther is the only breeding population of panthers in the eastern United States. The estimated number of Florida panthers in 1995 was 80-100 individuals, but by 2002 this number had decreased to an estimated 30-50 individuals

In 2013, the US Fish and Wildlife Service proposed downlisting the Florida panther from endangered to threatened status on the grounds that its population had increased. This proposal was finalized in October 2014

The increasing population of deer in Florida due to a lack of natural predators has led to an increase in the number of panthers killed by cars. In areas where both deer and panthers live together, such as Big Cypress National Preserve, deer have been known to chase panthers up trees

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission supplements wild Florida panther numbers with crosses from Texas pumas. These "Florida-pumas" are released into wildlife management areas to increase the genetic diversity and fitness of the overall population