Niagara Parks Police Service are encouraging members of the public not to engage or interfere with wild animals after Niagara-on-the-Lake residents report seeing a possible exotic animal along the Niagara Parkway.

On May 16, the Parks police received a report of a possible exotic animal sighting along the Niagara Parkway, in the vicinity of Line 4. Two members of a residence, along with their contractor, reported seeing what they believed was an animal resembling a black panther or a jaguar, leap and climb approximately 30 feet up a tree.

The complainant went inside to get a phone and by the time he returned outside, the animal was gone.

Described as a black cat, about the size of a large dog, the animal was estimated to weigh between 80-100 lbs.

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Insp. Paul Forcier with the Niagara Parks police said members of the public who spot animals like this should call the police, reaching out through regular means. Once it’s reported, they can begin a search of the area.

In this case, the police search was met with negative results but nearby residents were advised of the sighting.

Niagara Regional Police Service and the Ministry of Natural Resources were both advised of the report.

In a release from Niagara Parks police, it was noted that there have been no known reports of missing exotic animals in the region matching the description related to this incident and no other recently reported incidents of a similar nature.

Forcier said the witness was quite sure of his observations.

A similar incident was reported elsewhere within Niagara approximately 10 years ago. No injuries were sustained in that case either and the reported animal was elusive, avoiding human contact after being observed and reported.