Jim Jung, 54, an Illinois panther researcher and Fortean author passed away on March 15, 2007. He had for years gathered the disputed information that convinced him that black panthers and eastern cougars lived in his home state. As long as his website remains active, his cougar data on the web can be found here and here.

Jung had just published his special look at the strange phenomena of southern Illinois, in the area north of Cairo called Egypt. He was also known, for the last decade, for his annual Southern Illinois almanac, The Waterman & Hill Traveller’s Companion.

Scott Maruna first noted Jung’s death online yesterday:

It is with a heavy heart that I must report that the biofortean community has lost a valuable member. Jim Jung, of southern Illinois, has succumbed to stage four lung cancer….Sadly, distance prevented me from Knowing Jung better than I did, but…I do know that the world is worse off for the loss of this hardworking, generous and scientific man. My prayers go out to his wife, Ruby.Scott Maruna, Saying Goodbye to an Illinois Cougar Tracker

The Carbondale Southern Illinoisian also carried an article about Jung’s death, on March 17, 2007, entitled “Beloved outdoorsman Jim Jung dead at 54″.

Thanks, Kittenz.