A family who recently moved to Southwest Florida got a surprise visit from one of the state's most elusive creatures. Vendela Harold told WPLG she was relaxing inside her Golden Gate Estates home when she got an eerie feeling of something watching her. When she turned around, she caught a rare Florida panther staring at her.
“All of a sudden I just get this intense feeling of something is staring at me," Harold recounted. "Really quick I look over and there he is. Just staring me down. Kind of looked like he wanted some popcorn and was enjoying the movie."
The homeowner whipped out her phone to record the big cat, who was in her backyard and peering through the sliding glass door. She wasn't expecting such an encounter after moving there less than two months ago.
“He did not look cute and cuddly. He looked like he wanted a snack," Harold said. "If I was outside, I would’ve been scared for my life."
According to Florida Fish and Wildlife, the Florida panther is one of two native cat species in the state alongside bobcats. Most of them reside south of Lake Okeechobee, and they're considered an endangered species under federal law. Officials said there are 120 to 230 panthers out in the wild.