Victorian 'black panther' video sparks internet speculation

Locals are baffled after a video of a suspiciously large black “cat” running near Ballarat is going viral.

Internet users and locals have been left baffled after a video of a suspiciously large black “cat” running near Ballarat went viral.

Some punters speculate the animal is merely an oversized feral cat, while others claim it could be a black panther.

The video was first posted to a Facebook page called “Gold Coins & Relics Australia”.

The video shows a black feline moving through a field, in slow motion.

In the background are several large grain silos.

Some commenters speculated that the image might be the creation of AI.

Other punters referenced urban legends of having seen other big cats around Australia, including the fabled “Penrith Panther”, sometimes said to have been seen around New South Wales.