A striking black cat

The "black panther" is a cougar variant often reported but never caught. When a woman in Florida reported one in her back yard, though, wildlife officials found something almost as unusual - a black bobcat. The 20-pound animal was safely captured alive. Researchers at the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary told that media less than a dozen such cats are on record, and all from the same South Florida region. The cat is not just black, but a striking, perfect obsidian. The Busch staff will take samples for DNA studies and then return the cat to the wild.
COMMENT: Researchers are to be commended for their desire to return to the wild an animal that would be a very big draw if put on exhibit.