Panthers at WDW?

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I was on the monorail a few weeks ago headed toward the MK on the resort monorail line. Another lady and I both saw the same animal, and neither one of us knew what it was.

It had a pretty long body, but it's legs were not too tall. It had a tail and looked to be pretty big. It was coming out of the trees headed for a small pond. It was a very dark, solid black.

I know it wasn't a dog or any other common animal, so does anyone know if panthers live in that area of Florida?

 

[Robo]

I was on the monorail a few weeks ago headed toward the MK on the resort monorail line. Another lady and I both saw the same animal, and neither one of us knew what it was.

It had a pretty long body, but it's legs were not too tall. It had a tail and looked to be pretty big. It was coming out of the trees headed for a small pond. It was a very dark, solid black.

I know it wasn't a dog or any other common animal, so does anyone know if panthers live in that area of Florida?

Here ya go.

But, there seem to be so few of them (estimated) in the wild that it doesn't seem too likely that
this is what you saw.

How about the mysterious Florida Black Panther?


.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Well it does look like it is a pretty swampy type area where the monorail was. I wonder if panthers would live that close to all those people though. It looked pretty black though...not brown.

 

[GenevieveRaqs]

We had a printed notice in our FW cabin last week saying that a black bear had been seen in the area and that they were working to find and relocate it safely. Maybe that was it? Of course, a bear wouldn't have a tail, though...

 

[musicmantrs]

The Florida Panther is rare and I think seen way south of Orlando (think Florida Keys)... it is endangered but it is the same as the common panther in most of North America (thank you 3 college credits for Wildlife Management).

 

[Dudetrue]

My cousin lives in a gated residential area of Tampa and they have Florida panthers. One came up to her screen lanai and watched her little dog for a few minutes. They are quite big.

 

[Suellen]

I live right near WDW and there have been recent reports on our message board that panthers have been spied recently.

 

[mvazul]

Here ya go.

But, there seem to be so few of them (estimated) in the wild that it doesn't seem too likely that
this is what you saw.

How about the mysterious Florida Black Panther?


.

That first picture isn't a Florida Panther. It's a Penn State Nittany Lion!!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I live right near WDW and there have been recent reports on our message board that panthers have been spied recently.

I hope it was a panther, would be pretty awesome to be able to claim I'd seen one in the wild.

 

[Minerva Mouse]

WOW, I live pretty close to WDW, crazy to think there might be a panther running around. I do know that the wooded area around MK (where the monorail goes) has many, many, many deer, I see them all the time. So if it is a panther, hopefully it takes it's pick of deer, and not pets or people.

 

[Suellen]

WOW, I live pretty close to WDW, crazy to think there might be a panther running around. I do know that the wooded area around MK (where the monorail goes) has many, many, many deer, I see them all the time. So if it is a panther, hopefully it takes it's pick of deer, and not pets or people.

I know right?! I think they are fairly dangerous. Some woman on our message board was like "I hope you took the time and got close enough to get a picture!". Um no! I hope you quickly went in another direction!

 

[AprilLizbeth]

Hmm its a possibility, but Florida panthers are tan, not black or even dark brown. I would lean toward a bear. There have been a lot of reports of the Florida black bears being around there again.

 

[MJMcBride]

It almost assuredly was not a panther. They are extremely rare and found south of Orlando. That does not mean it is impossible.

In all likelihood you say much more common animal. You would be surprised how often animals are misidentified. You probably saw a common house cat I'll be a large 1. There been many reports of people think they see Cougars in the wild what all they turn out to be are house cats

 

[ghtx]

I vote nutria.

 

[Zooshoveller]

It very well could be a jaguarundi or a rogue black jag or leopard. Florida is sadly notorious for roadside zoos, lax exotic pet laws and is a major hub for incoming illegal exotics. A lot of these animals get out from inadequate housing/fencing, while others are intentionally set free.

A friend who grew up in south Florida had monkeys, macaws and other exotics visit her backyard from time to time. No major predators other than gators.

 

[Art 1]

Near the monorail I have seen, many deer, armadillos, hogs, rabbits, turkeys and twice a wolf/coyote and once a bobcat.

 

[jill062604]

We were once chosen as the Flag Family at the Wilderness Lodge. I am very interested in the wildlife in different states, so I was asking lots of questions to our guide. He did say there are some florida panthers that are on WDW property. He said they are on the outskirts, but cast members have been warned about them. He said he actually has seen them. Where exactly on the monorail did you see it? Also, where/what are hogs?

I will be on the lookout when I ride the monorail!!

 

[Art 1]

We were once chosen as the Flag Family at the Wilderness Lodge. I am very interested in the wildlife in different states, so I was asking lots of questions to our guide. He did say there are some florida panthers that are on WDW property. He said they are on the outskirts, but cast members have been warned about them. He said he actually has seen them. Where exactly on the monorail did you see it? Also, where/what are hogs?

I will be on the lookout when I ride the monorail!!

Pigs. The wild life can be seen at the part along the entrance to the MK. On the monorail side of the entrance is a body of water back in the woods that brings them out. Also deer can easily seen right after going through the entrance to MK straight ahead as you head to the parking. There is a small field there and they come out at dusk. Also along the monorail from MK to the Grand Floridian.

 

[betmust]

Pigs. The wild life can be seen at the part along the entrance to the MK. On the monorail side of the entrance is a body of water back in the woods that brings them out. Also deer can easily seen right after going through the entrance to MK straight ahead as you head to the parking. There is a small field there and they come out at dusk. Also along the monorail from MK to the Grand Floridian.

Trying to picture where you are saying about the pigs and I can't. Can you explain a little. I see deer at dusk and just after along the road going to the entrance gate to MK. We stay at Fort Wilderness and see tons of deer. I would like to see one of the wild pigs - from a distance of course...

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

Trying to picture where you are saying about the pigs and I can't. Can you explain a little. I see deer at dusk and just after along the road going to the entrance gate to MK. We stay at Fort Wilderness and see tons of deer. I would like to see one of the wild pigs - from a distance of course...

I have seen several wild pigs, similar to the pic below, around WDW property and Winter Garden.