Comments on: Lake Placid’s Black Panther

By: Osacr

Osacr — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 05:23:52 +0000

In 2002 I lived in Upstate NY in Saint Lawerece county NY. I read in a local paper ( I think the Yankee trader that) there was a gun show at the local VFW hall so I went. I looked at a map to see the shortest route , it was called the Russel Turnpike ( I was very suprised to see a “Turn pike in such a remote area ) only 2 miles from my house just outside of Potsdam NY.

I found the “turnpike” , it was a dirt road that went on for miles. I finally got to the main road and made it to the big “gun show” which was only 3 miles from the “Turnpike”. The show was only about 15 tables with old rifles and some fishing gear. Needless to say I was disappointed so I went home taking the same route back. Well all dirt roads look a like so I got a little lost. After an half hour I found an area I think called Saint Lawerence county re-forestation area 214 I think ( you can look it up on google if you like ).

Having a slow day and not to be the type of person that is quick to be discouraged I stoped and with my Black Lab named Mikey a 12 gauge shotgun to try to tag a bird for dinner ( Pheasents make a delicous meal) . We started walking. Not even 300 yards in to this dirt road THERE IT WAS . As my dog quarted back and forth , uhead of us (Mybe 30 yards) a very large Black Panther ran across the path from us . This cat was BIG with a very long tail that curled over his body but never moved as it bounced across the path , This cat was much bigger then my dog. I called back my dog before he could smell it and looking at my dog and 12 gauge I knew we where in the wrong place at the wrong time , and I was surly not ready to deal with this cat so we got back to my truck as fast as possible.

The next day I went to the local DEC office to ask what they could tell me about these cats . The oficial responce was - ” There are no cats like that in NY State” They tried to tell me it was a Lynx , I looked them in the eye and told them ” I know what I saw “!! Before I left I told them I would get a traker cam that I had and prove to them that these cats were here. They said “your mistaken and have a nice day ” but before I cound make it through the door one DEC officer came up to me and asked to see the cat when I got the pics developed.

You see there offical stace is that there are no cats like this BUT THEY KNOW THERE ARE !!! They are keeping it a under wraps to either protect the cats or not to scare the public.

I have 20/15 vision which is pretty good and a good understanding of the out doors and wildlife . Well even after baiting the area I was never able to get him on film. BUT I KNOW WHAT I SAW !!

By: maslo63

maslo63 — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:09:14 +0000

I believe the lake in the movie was located in Maine and was called “Black Lake”. There is an actual Black Lake in NY as well though. I have been to lake Placid but nope…no big cat sightings. Its nice to hear about a cryptid sighting close to home (Central NY).

By: chrisandclauida2

chrisandclauida2 — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:32:42 +0000

first lake placid had huge 30 foot alligators and now powerful black panthers.

lets send bill pullman oliver platt and bridget fonda to capture the cats. they did outstanding work on the alligator.

i just hope that little old lady still isnt feeding barn yard animals to the areas cryptids.

By: gkingdano

gkingdano — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:04:26 +0000

I know in south Texas along the river there jagarundis that are bigger than a bobcat but smaller than the puma. They are very allusive and their color is very dark (could be called black). I doubt that this was one due to that they rarely if ever make it north of the valley. But there are panther shaped cats that could be described as black in America.

By: Zackh

Zackh — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 04:27:52 +0000

shumway, I’m pretty sure it’s probably an illegal pet or escaped from a zoo or circus. Still, I mean would you walk up to a huge black lion-sized, cat doesn’t seem to describe it, makes it sound like something small that goes “meow”, feline creature that could probably bite your head off, that takes A) guts B) a really stupid guy. Can we have a picture too? I think I have one with it that makes it look like a bear. I haven’t seen anything like that though. All I’ve that’s out of the ordinary is purple blood seeping out of a skunk that was obviously road kill. God it smelled for so long too. Poor college kids, it was practically on their campus.

By: Cryptid Hunt21

Cryptid Hunt21 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:30:30 +0000

My friend traveled to Lake Placid today! I better tell her this when she comes back. Or if she sees it!

By: cryptidsrus

cryptidsrus — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:58:24 +0000

FOXFIER:

I agree maybe the guy got a little bit TOO close, but I don’t blame him for going outside to at least take a picture of it.

Fascinating report. Sounds very credible.
the fact that the “panther” was said to be “washing its face” lends a PARTICULAR air of credibility.

By: Foxfier

Foxfier — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:41:15 +0000

That got Dan’s attention. He got up, looked out the window and saw a huge cat. Really huge. “Stay where you are,” he said, heading down the stairs to grab his camera and race outside.

Crazy twit is lucky he wasn’t hurt.

I do remember various members of my family mentioning seeing black panthers up in Cali/NV; they regarded them as very neat, like a white deer.

By: shumway10973

shumway10973 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:17:15 +0000

I find it rather ironic that this comes from lake placid. I know that the lake in the movie of the same name wasn’t placid, but in the first one the sheriff said they wanted to name it placid. Big, black beauty. I do wish there was a picture. This one sounds good to me. What is the federal and New York law on owning such an animal. I’m familiar with California’s, but I was just wondering how difficult it would be to legally own one around there.

By: PhotoExpert

PhotoExpert — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:34:14 +0000

Very interesting story! That witness also sounded very credible. He obviously saw a big cat that was not a house cat. This would be one story to follow as it progressed. Thanks for the heads up.