Alright folks, buckle up because we’ve got a wild one for you today. Picture this: you’re just minding your own business, enjoying the natural beauty of South Mountain, when out of nowhere, you spot a creature that looks like it’s straight out of a National Geographic documentary.
On November 9, a YouTube user named Jen Fletcher posted a 23-second video that’s got everyone from casual hikers to wildlife experts scratching their heads. This isn’t your average cat video, folks. This is something…bigger.
The video, which has racked up over 15,000 views, shows a mysterious creature that’s got the internet buzzing. Is it a jaguar? A panther? A jaguarundi? Or just a really, really fat house cat that’s been hitting the Friskies a bit too hard?
Even the experts at the Arizona Game and Fish Department are stumped. “It’s not one of our native big cat species, mountain lion, bobcat, ocelot or jaguar,” says spokesperson Tom Cadden. “It’s pretty big for a house cat.”
Now, here’s where things get interesting. One theory is that this could be an exotic cat that someone had as a pet and it somehow escaped. But as Cadden points out, that’s just speculation.
So, what do we have here? A mystery cat roaming South Mountain, leaving a trail of YouTube views and baffled experts in its wake. As officials continue their investigation, the Arizona Game and Fish Department is on high alert for more sightings and encounters.
In the meantime, the big cat mystery continues to unfold, reminding us all that nature is full of surprises. So, next time you’re out for a hike, keep your eyes peeled. You never know what you might find lurking in the shadows.
Arizona New Times
