Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — A viral video showing what appears to be a large, wild cat roaming the streets of Rochester has prompted an investigation by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and raised concerns among residents.
The DEC is working to validate the images captured by a Ring doorbell camera, which appear to show a cougar.
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Curtis Jones said he encountered the animal near Rauber Street on Wednesday.
“It said ‘rawr,'” Jones said. “I just kept walking, I seen it, seeing me, see it, so in my head I’m like, ‘Nah I got to go, man. I’m out.'”
Sara Childs-Sanford, an associate professor of wildlife medicine at Cornell University, weighed in on the viral Ring doorbell video.
“My first thought is often a bobcat in this type of situation, which is a large cat, but this is definitely not the shape of a bobcat,” Childs-Sanford said. “It seems to be much larger and has the long, thick, characteristic tail that you would expect in a mountain lion.”
The DEC noted that if the animal is indeed a cougar, it likely did not arrive in the region on its own. The last documented cougar sighting in New York state was in 2011.
“Any sighting could potentially be a pass through of a wild animal, but more likely it is an animal that someone has illegally kept as a pet in a captive setting, and then either it’s escaped or been released,” Childs-Sanford explained.
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The DEC surveyed the neighborhood near the viral video but did not observe any signs or evidence that could be helpful, such as tracks, scat or fur.
Childs-Sanford explained that large wild cats like cougars are elusive.
“They’re quiet and they are stealthy, so I wouldn’t expect, if you saw one, that it would be likely to stick around,” Childs-Sanford said. “It will not seek out humans intentionally, they definitely do not want to be around people, but it still is a dangerous animal.”
The DEC encourages anyone who spots the animal to call 911.
DEC is investigating and working to substantiate reports of a big cat in a Rochester neighborhood and determining if there is evidence to validate the images. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available. DEC reminds the public to treat an encounter like any other with a large, potentially dangerous wild animal or unfamiliar dog. Keep a safe distance, and slowly back away. Only take photos from a very safe distance and immediately report it to law enforcement.DEC encourages the public to submit reports if they observe this animal, especially if they obtain photo or video evidence. These reports can be directed to the regional wildlife office at 585-226-5380 or r8wildlife@dec.ny.gov, or directed to DEC Environmental Conservation Officer dispatch after-hours or on weekends at 844-332-3267. If the public has immediate safety concerns about an observed, unusual animal, they should call 911.