I'm not doubting anyone I'm just saying that seeing a black panther is putting yourself in the same category as those who see the Loch Ness monster or bigfoot. I've studied it quite a bit and while I won't say none of those critters exist, virtually all the experts put the black panther in the cryptozoology category. I know there is a lot of denial about the ordinary mountain lions, and I know for a fact there have been cover-ups. But those were by sheriffs and wildlife people, probably concerned with hurting tourism. A woman was killed by one a few years back in Arkansas. The thing is, in areas where mountain lions are known, they get killed and remains are found. There are no remains of a black one anywhere even though as many sightings as are reported, there should be. And if you shoot one (with gun or camera) don't shovel and shut up. Pay the fine and you will still have a lot of money left over after selling your story! PS - the width of a pickup is only about 5 ft max. A stretched out mt Lion with tail is 7-8, a Jag would be longer. A large bobcat, which can also have the melanin abnormality, could easily appear as wide as a pickup. Anyway, I have no doubt that people are seeing something, but the genetics for blackness just don't exist in Mt Lions. If it did one would pop up every decade or so in CA where the lions are plentiful.