COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — A wildlife photographer got a once-in-a-lifetime shot she’ll never forget.

Jo Gryniewicz was taking pictures on the boardwalk at the Audubon’s Corkscrew Sanctuary near Naples this weekend, when a very rare visitor showed up out of nowhere: an endangered Florida panther emerged from the bushes just 30 feet away.

Gryniewicz says the big cat seemed as surprised to see her as she was to see it.

After a few amazing moments, the panther vanished into the brush.

Gryniewicz said she could not believe she kept her cool long enough to capture the moment.

Florida panthers are on the endangered species list. There are only about 200 left in the wild.

The ‘purr’-fect shot? Florida panther gives photographer a moment she’ll never forget

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Steve Owen