Latest news with #StephanyBaez
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
Watch: Mysterious animal caught on video in Rochester triggers shelter alert
Rochester police briefly issued a shelter-in-place alert late Wednesday after a security video showing what appeared to be a large wild cat began circulating on social media. The 30-second Ring security camera clip, recorded around 4 a.m. Wednesday, July 9, near East Main Street and Culver Road, shows a large animal walking across the frame. The video quickly went viral on Facebook, racking up more than 250,000 views and 1,100 shares within 12 hours. "It doesn't look like a normal cat," said homeowner Stephany Baez, who shared the clip online. 'It is something scary and I don't want anyone to get hurt.' Baez suggested the animal could be a wild cat, sparking speculation online that it might be a mountain lion. After the video spread online, Rochester police received numerous 911 calls reporting similar sightings throughout the city, according to Lt. Anthony DelVecchio. However, police say none of those reports have been verified. "None of these reports have been substantiated, and no additional video evidence has been provided," DelVecchio said Thursday. Early Friday morning, DelVecchio said that police continue to receive reports on wild cat sightings. Some of the calls are "false," he said. "We are still working to confirm the validity of such reports and will continue to respond if called in an effort to do so." Also, he noted, authorities checked in with the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, and all large cats who reside at the zoo remain at the zoo "and all are accounted for." Among the large cats who reside at the zoo, there are three African lions, two snow leopards, two Canada lynx and one Amur Tiger, according to the zoo's website. Around midnight on July 10, police responded to another report of a possible sighting near North Clinton Avenue and Rauber Street, prompting them to issue a shelter-in-place order out of caution. It was lifted shortly after, once officers were unable to confirm the presence of any wild animal. 'Until the validity of the original video can be confirmed, RPD urges the public to remain vigilant,' DelVecchio said. 'If anyone observes a large wild animal, they are advised to go indoors immediately and call 911.' This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Watch: Mysterious animal caught on video in Rochester triggers alert
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
Is a mountain lion really roaming the streets in this upstate NY city? What we know now
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is investigating after a viral video showing what appears to be a large wild cat roaming a Rochester, New York, neighborhood took many by surprise this week. Here's the latest on whether a large cat is actually loose in the city — and what authorities are doing about it. According to DEC officials, based on the doorbell camera video and measurements taken at the scene Thursday, the animal could possibly be a cougar (also known as a mountain lion) — if the footage hasn't been altered. 'If this is actually a cougar, given the location within city limits, it is most likely not a wild cat that arrived to the region on its own, but rather a cat that was previously captive, possibly as an illegal pet,' DEC officials said Thursday. DEC only investigates reports that include physical evidence such as tracks, droppings (scat), fur, or photographs. If there is no such evidence, the report is filed but cannot be verified. At about 4 a.m. on Wednesday, July 9, a Ring security camera captured a large animal walking through a yard near East Main Street and Culver Road. The video, shared by resident Stephany Baez, quickly went viral — with over 250,000 views and 1,100 shares on Facebook within hours. 'It doesn't look like a normal cat,' Baez wrote in her post. 'It is something scary and I don't want anyone to get hurt.' DEC officials visited the location on Thursday, July 10, and took measurements and photos that suggest the animal could be a large cat. However, a search of the surrounding neighborhood turned up no tracks, scat, fur, or other physical clues. Following the video's release, Rochester Police received several 911 calls reporting similar sightings across the city, according to Lt. Anthony DelVecchio. But so far, no additional images or physical evidence have been found. 'None of these reports have been substantiated,' DelVecchio said. 'Until the validity of the original video can be confirmed, RPD urges the public to remain vigilant. If anyone observes a large wild animal, they are advised to go indoors immediately and call 911.' According to the DEC, there is no native, self-sustaining population of (also called cougars or eastern cougars) in New York. They once roamed the state — especially the Adirondacks — but were wiped out by the early 1900s due to habitat loss, hunting, and food scarcity. Occasional sightings in recent decades have typically involved: Captive animals that escaped or were released Mistaken identity (bobcats, coyotes, large domestic cats, or even deer) One confirmed wild cougar that passed through from South Dakota during a 1,800-mile migration According to the DEC, adult cougars are: Up to 8 feet long (nose to tail) About 3 feet tall at the shoulder Around 140 pounds on average They have: Long, slender bodies Short, rounded ears Brownish-red to light brown fur Creamy white underbellies Black markings on the tip of the tail, ears, and base of the whiskers DEC will only investigate if there's physical evidence or a confirmed escape of a captive animal. If you think you've spotted a mountain lion: Look for signs: tracks, scat, or fur Take photos of the animal and any physical evidence — only if safe to do so Keep your distance: Back away slowly and treat it like any dangerous wild animal or unknown dog Report sightings to law enforcement or DEC officials immediately. If you think you've seen a cougar in western New York: Weekdays: Contact the DEC's regional wildlife office at (585) 226-5380 or email r8wildlife@ After-hours or weekends: Call the DEC Environmental Conservation Officer dispatch at 844-332-3267 This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Video may show captive mountain lion loose in Rochester NY, DEC says
