Are There Really Black Panthers In West Alabama?

Several people in West Alabama called into the Madison & Shepherd show to insist they've seen black panthers in our area, but I just don't know if I can believe it.

Scott Shepherd and several callers into the show insists black panthers have been spotted in and around our area, but biologists with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources insists there's been no evidence of their existence in the state for over 50 years.

Still, it's hard to completely discount claims from callers in Greene County and Gordo who provide very specific descriptions of what they insist was as a black panther.

Outdoor Alabama refers to them as black mountain lions and the site claims the last confirmed mountain lion in Alabama was killed around 1948 in St. Clair County. Free ranging mountain lions can still occasionally enter the state, but these instances are highly unlikely.

In addition, the state's conservation site says there haven't been any confirmed reports by trail cameras, road kills, traditional photography, or hunter-harvested specimens since 1948.

So, the verdict is out on black panthers in Alabama.