Search for information on legend of Jasper the panther that prowls Port Adelaide
Folklore has it that a black panther called Jasper, who possibly came to Australia as part of a travelling circus, roams the Port. Now a researcher wants to learn more.
West & Beaches
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There’s folklore about the Port of a panther, black as the night, that roams the streets.
Known as Jasper, he is known to be particularly fond of Divett St.
Over the years, residents have reported sightings.
There are a few theories about how Jasper came to be in the area – the standout is he was part of a circus that visited Port Adelaide.
Daniel Havey, who is researching how the Port community connects with animals and nature, heard about the legend of Jasper and wanted to learn more.
He has stuck posters throughout the Port, calling for information on Jasper and has put a call-out on his Animal stories of Port Adelaide and Lefevre Peninsula Facebook page.
“I was intrigued by Jasper and how this legend had come to be,” Mr Havey said.
A resident wrote on his page that she had heard a baby panther had come to Australia on a ship to perform as part of a circus.
When it came time for the circus to leave, the panther was fully grown and difficult to manage, so its owner left him with a local publican.
Legend has it that the panther got into strife for killing livestock, and was eventually found by a woman in her backyard, sitting next to her child with a dead chicken its mouth.
It was euthanised and, ever since, the panther’s ghost has roamed Divett St.
Mr Havey and Agravaine MacLachlan have received a $3000 Port Adelaide Enfield Council grant to explore the link between people’s stories of animals and their relationship to the local environment.
“Port Adelaide Enfield has some quite diverse and important animals and habitat,” Mr Havey said.
“These animals and their places are important and are part of our community.”
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He said as part of the project, they want to hear from residents about their animal stories, and hope along the way to uncover more about Jasper.
The stories will be included as part of a tour of Port Adelaide to be held later this year.
If anyone has information about Jasper – or other Port animal stories – they can email Mr Havey at itsnotharvey@outlook.com
