I recently received a telephone call from 'TW,' a retired teacher and well-credentialed local government employee who is also involved with social work in Caldwell County, North Carolina. TW has been a reader of Phantoms & Monsters for a while and watches my video presentations, so he felt comfortable contacting me about his encounters.
Beginning in the Spring of 2024, TW sensed that something was 'watching' him when he took his Pitbull outside to do its business early in the morning. His dog was acting nervous and waking TW, so he obliged and accompanied his dog outside. Because he lived in the foothills of the Western North Carolina mountains, and because of the natural predators inhabiting the area, he was always armed with a pistol.
One particular early morning, he was walking along his driveway with his dog, when he observed what he thought was a 'black, plastic trash bag.' The object was at the end of the driveway. TW thought that this was quite unusual because none of his neighbors lived nearby and he and his wife maintained a tidy residence.
As he approached the object it started to move, then rise off the driveway, and manifest into a large black panther with bright yellow eyes. There was also a panther kitten accompanying the big cat. As this occurred his dog cowered behind TW. After lifting itself off the driveway, the black panther and kitten slowly retreated into the brush.
On subsequent occasions, TW would see the same black panther and kitten on multiple early mornings between 3:00 - 4:00 AM. He eventually contacted the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and inquired about the cryptid feline. He was told that there is no natural species of black panther inhabiting North Carolina.
Later, as a social worker, he was told by a supervisor that multiple caregivers had stopped providing assistance to an elderly woman who resided in the nearby mountains. They were concerned by the sightings of large black panthers when they would visit the elderly woman. The supervisor asked TW if he would make a visit to the location.
TW stated that he remembered his father previously telling him about encountering black panthers when he and others would be hunting. In fact, on several instances, the hunters would shoot at the big cats, insisting that they struck the animals, but that there was 'no effect' on the creatures.
Because of the continued activity and the accounts told to him by his father, TW suspected that these sightings may be a result of portal openings or other unknown supernatural phenomena. There have been multiple indigenous tribes who have historically inhabited the area, in particular, the Cherokee and Coharie people. He suspected that these creatures may have been associated with tribal lore and religion, and manifested as a result of these practices.
Previous to the black panther activity, there had been regular instances of 'loud booms' emanating from the foothills and the surrounding area. TW wondered if there was a connection.
TW is a faithful Christian and decided to take matters into his own hands. He tells me that he walked outside one early morning and again observed the black panther and kitten. He prayed, rebuked, and asked that the creature leave his property and not show itself in the future. After that night, the black panther has not been seen.
NOTE: I told TW that I would make inquiries about his claims. Many of my ancestors lived in Mitchell County, North Carolina, and I have heard multiple stories of cryptid sightings during my life. The Southern Appalachian people, both First Nations and settlers, have passed down many curious tales of unknown creature encounters and other supernatural events. These sightings and encounters have continued into modern times. If you are interested in researching these tribal people and their traditions, you may find that the Indigenous Peoples of North Carolina website and other resources are helpful. Lon
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