What was the initial sign that a panther was nearby?

The initial sign that a panther was nearby being identified as the discovery of some panther poop is significant for a couple of reasons. Animal droppings, or scat, can provide clear evidence of the presence of that specific animal in an area. Scat can reveal a lot about the creature that left it, including its diet and habits. In the case of a panther, finding scat indicates not just the presence of the animal, but also suggests that it has been in the vicinity recently, creating a direct and tangible link to its activity in the environment.

While other signs, such as strange noises, unusual animal behavior, or a scent in the air, may indicate that an animal is nearby, they are less direct than the physical evidence provided by the scat. The presence of panther poop is a straightforward indicator that the panther has recently traveled through that area, thereby making it the most definitive initial sign.