What is the strange black cat that roams the mountains of Arizona? That’s the question that has baffled wildlife experts and residents alike after a video (below) of the mysterious creature went viral on YouTube.
The footage, taken by a Phoenix homeowner, shows a large cat with a long tail walking down the mountainside.
The animal does not match the known species of big cats found in the state, such as mountain lions, bobcats, ocelots or jaguars. He also seems too big for a house cat that has escaped from its owner.
Some experts have speculated that the animal could be an exotic pet purchased at an animal auction and somehow got loose. It could be a species from Africa or South America, such as a serval, a caracal or a melanistic leopard.
However, this raises more questions than answers. How did the animal survive in the harsh desert environment? How did it avoid detection for so long? And most importantly: is it dangerous to people or other animals?
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has stated that they will not intervene unless the animal poses a threat to public safety or wildlife.
They have advised residents to keep their pets indoors and report any sightings of the mystery cat. They have also warned against approaching or feeding the animal as it can be unpredictable and aggressive.
The mystery of the black cat remains unsolved for now. It is possible that it is just a rare mutation of a native species, or a hybrid of two different cats. It is also possible that it is a hoax or a prank, even though the video appears authentic and unedited.