Black Cats Matter.

Wildlife officials have told Louisiana residents for at least over a decade that black panthers in The Pelican State are a myth. But residents are now attempting to solve the mystery of reported black panther sightings in the area.

In other words, Louisiana residents have been seeing large black cats in the state for years, but for some reason, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries refuses to admit they are there.

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham said in 2013 “It’s sort of like Bigfoot. But the truth is there are no black panthers in Louisiana.”

But in recent weeks, Rapides Parish residents saw what they believe is a majestic black panther near the levee banks of Lower 3rd Street in the Alexandria area.

One eyewitness, Ken Lee, recounted the startling encounter to CenLANow, saying, “We were in a tent, and heard something that sounded like a baby crying at first. And then, the sound turned to something else. I saw a big black cat, and I knew to mind my business from over there.”

Lee said the black feline was the same size of an animal one might expect to find in a zoo.

Photo evidence also shows a size 13 sandal next to a paw print that is way too big to be a domesticated cat.

Some skeptical locals have suggested that a cougar with a genetic mutation causing black fur could be a plausible explanation.

“It’s possible there’s a cougar making its rounds with a genetic mutation that causes its fur to be black, or a really dark brown,” one resident speculated.

I highly doubt that is true because according to the Mountain Lion Foundation, there has never been a confirmed case of a melanistic mountain lion.

Other locals believe these prints are compelling evidence of a large majestic presence.

Historically these black felines ranged throughout a significant portion of the eastern United States, which included Lousisina. Today, the panther's only known reproducing population lives in the Everglades region in south Florida.

But there is tons of evidence out there that proves the large Melanted lion is still roaming the state.

There is even an entire Facebook page dedicated to panther sightings in Louisiana. Although most of the posts appear to be actual mountain lions, one resident seemed to capture a black large cat in 2020.

Just a couple of years ago, Local musician Steve Grisaffe posted a couple of videos that showed a black panther and cub roaming around his property in the Port of Ibera area.

“Rare Louisiana Black Panther in my neighborhood tonight, scary. Other pics were from my back porch this morning. Looks like she has a little baby too,” Grisaffe wrote in his Facebook post that showed the evidence.

If officials want us to believe that Black Panthers in the state are a “myth” then what the heck is this?!

Black Panther and Cub Sighting in the Port of Iberiawww.youtube.com

And watch this:

The Louisiana black panther❗️www.youtube.com

For over a decade, officials have tried to cover up the fact that these majestic felines are still thriving throughout the state. This makes one wonder, what is the Louisiana Department of Wildlife hiding?