When she told Paul Goldman, she remarked it did have a long tail. He asked if could have been a cat and she said no, it was much bigger. Could it be a large cat? No there are no cats in this area that are that large. When he later showed her a photo of a black leopard, she said "That’s it! That’s the one I saw! Just like that! It was right on the rock by the garage! I remember the exact time, it was 9.02 at night. It hopped twice! I thought it was coming to the house. I was so scared!"

Prior to this event, she had never heard of or knew anything about the panther sightings in our area.

This sighting was reported to Palisades Park Commission. Carol Baxter asked Ed McGowen of the Palisades Park Commission if the cameras were still installed in Tallman near where Dorian Tunnell saw the panthers. If so, they should check the recent filming. She was told "The cameras have been taken down after several months of use and a number of pictures of local wildlife (coyote, opossum, raccoon, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, etc) and a large black dog (but with a short tail). They are being used elsewhere but I can inquire about getting them put back out.” The tracker Shane Hobel was also e-mailed.

On Jul 16, Shane and Donna the trackers came by Woods Road. Carol Baxter was with them and took them down to the river at Alice Gerard's where tracks had been seen on the shore and to the Goldmans' and Bjork's. Among other things, they found clear large cat tracks on the Plowe property. Shane has determined that the cats are present, down by the river, through the woods, around the pipeline and in some backyards. He saw tracks on Joan's Lehmann's property too.

So what is the most effective next step? The authorities will not tranquilize or cage unless they have a "reliable eyewitness" or a photo. Shane as a tracker can not tranquilize or cage either. His role is to narrow down the location as best as possible, so the authorities can do their thing.

Whether or not we agree, to reiterate, this is what the authorities have stated:

• Tranquilizers can only be used by certain authorities. Since a tranquilizing drug is a controlled substance, it can not be used without knowing the species and size and weight of the animal.
  

• Cages can not be baited until the exact animal is identified so as to know exactly what kind of bait to use.

• Random bait is tricky because it may attract other unwanted animals to the area.

Therefore it's necessary to get a photo giving information about the animal. Nothing further can be done without it.

We can pressure the Palisades Interstate Park to get the cameras back here. They can plan with Shane where to put them - not where there are people around (i.e. the Tallman Trail) but instead in the areas in the woods, etc, where he has found tracks. Shane also said that these cameras can be purchased for personal use as hunters do.

We could see how many cameras the PIP will install (and do we know any hunters to borrow theirs.)

On July 18 Carol Baxter sent the letter below, signed by herself and 24 other Palisades residents, to Orangetown officials.

Dear Ed McGowen, Chief Nulty and Thom Kleiner, As you know, last Friday a friend of the Goldmans', clearly saw a large, exotic, black, feline creature (resembling a panther) in their backyard. She knew NOTHING about the previous sightings nor heard the words "panthers in Palisades."

After much discussion by community members of what to do, we know the most important thing is to get a photo of the animal. It is clear and understood, that tranquilizers or cages cannot be used until a photo is obtained. When the sightings have occurred, the eye-witnesses are either

1- caught off guard and are stunned,

2- do not have a camera on them at the time, or

3- the animal moves away and disappears before a camera can be reached.

This week, Shane Hobel from Tracker SFI has investigated the recent sighting locations and has identified trails and tracks of the animal. Tracker SFI has been working with the New Jersey State Police Department and conducts trainings with members of their SWAT teams, K-9 units, and CSI teams.

Since there is evidence that the animal is here now, we believe that the set up of the cameras as soon as possible is critical. We ask that the area be saturated with as many cameras as you all can get access to. Shane will be extremely helpful in recommending where the cameras should be placed based on his investigation.

Time is of the essence. This situation must be resolved. We can not have an animal such as this living so close to humans. We all agree that the capture and relocation of the animal in the most humane way possible is the desired action.

We need your help.

IF YOU SEE THE PANTHER:

To report a sighting, contact: Palisades Park Police (PIP) @ 786-2781 SO Police @ 359-3730 ext 2 Shane Hobel (tracker) @ 629-4866

And send an e-mail to: PCC@palisadesny.com And try to take a picture!