The black panther story originated through field reporting and community listening, where I actively engaged with residents to identify stories that mattered locally. During outreach, I recognized recurring conversations about alleged “black panther” sightings and noted it as a high-interest, culturally resonant story.

In Central Louisiana, large cats like cougars hold a deep historical and folkloric significance, making the topic more than just a wildlife report. I prioritized this story because it sat at the intersection of local identity, oral tradition, and public curiosity.

The result was a highly engaging and widely shared piece:

• 500+ social media shares

• 743+ comments, generating active community discussion

• Sparked regional media pickup, with multiple outlets referencing the story

• Surpassed 300,000+ views across platforms

• Currently ranks #1 on Google search for “Rapides Parish black panther”

This project demonstrates my ability to:

• Identify high-impact local stories through direct community engagement

• Translate cultural nuance into compelling, accessible journalism

• Produce content that drives conversation, visibility, and sustained digital reach