‘Mystery animal’ caught on camera in Rio Grande Valley leaves park officials stumped

A “thriller animal” noticed within the Rio Grande Valley left Texas park officers – and most of the people stumped.

Officers with the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, of Texas Parks and Wildlife, sought social media customers’ assist once they posted a photograph of a strange-looking – and apparently not simply identifiable – animal on the park’s Fb web page final week.

The furry, brief and stout, four-legged creature was caught on footage from the path cam of a park customer whereas strolling at evening within the Rio Grande Valley.

“We’re scratching our heads attempting to establish this elusive creature. Is it a brand new species? An escapee from a close-by zoo? Or only a park ranger in disguise?” the state park wrote. “Regardless, it’s thrilling to see such an unimaginable animal in its pure habitat.”

The guesses poured in, with greater than 600 customers commenting on the Thursday put up.

“If it’s not a bear, then I’d guess a park ranger in disguise!!” one commenter stated whereas one other opined, “An excellent ol’ Texas dimension rat.”

Different guesses included a beaver, wolverine, capybara or an otter. Many believed the thriller animal was a badger with one person saying it’s a “pregnant badger!”

After a lot hypothesis and debate, park officers unveiled what they believed it could possibly be.

“Wow, this picture has acquired a whole lot of consideration! We agree with a lot of the feedback that that is very doubtless an American Badger (to not be confused with the Honey Badger that lives in Africa and Asia and is rumored to not care very a lot),” the state park said, including. “Whereas American Badgers aren’t generally seen within the valley (partly as a consequence of their nocturnal conduct), that is a part of their pure vary.”

It’s unclear the place precisely within the Rio Grande Valley the picture was taken, park officers stated.