The answer is....

Jaguar!

If someone claimed to spot a black panther in Northern America, then, since jaguars are found in Central and South America, it would indeed be a jaguar! addbratlove225 and CommanderDiamondShot got this one right! Thanks again for participating! I hope you all are having as much fun as I am with this! As always, God bless! ❤❤❤