West Virginia Locals Stunned by Unidentified Creature in Park — Experts Weigh In

Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in November 2024.

A fox on a walking path (for illustrative purposes), Photo Credit: Wikimedia

Community Reacts Online

After sharing the video with neighbors and posting it online, Keller sparked a wave of speculation. Many locals couldn’t identify the animal.

“When I got a closer look, I realized it was something I’d never seen before,” Keller told WSAZ News.

Wild Guesses and Expert Opinions

As the clip spread online, some viewers guessed the animal might be a lemur. However, experts quickly dismissed that theory—lemurs are only found in Madagascar, far from West Virginia.

Expert Identifies Likely Explanation

Animal expert Andy McKee offered his take. He told WSAZ the creature likely resembles a fox suffering from mange. Mange, caused by mites, can lead to hair loss, thickened skin, and scabs—changing an animal’s appearance dramatically.

The mystery animal's silhouette visible from inside a car driving by, Photo Credit: WSAZ NewsChannel 3/Youtube — *The mystery animal’s silhouette visible from inside a car driving by,* Photo Credit: WSAZ NewsChannel 3/Youtube

Similar Sighting in the UK

Interestingly, just two days earlier on October 22, the Bristol Zoo Project in England captured another puzzling photo. Their trail camera in ancient woodland caught what looked like a “winged and horned creature” standing near a muntjac deer.

The zoo, dedicated to wildlife conservation, asked the public for help in identifying the mystery animal.

Comparing Creatures

To help viewers compare, the zoo shared a daylight image of a muntjac deer. These animals have short antlers that can sometimes look like horns, possibly adding to the confusion.

Nature Still Full of Surprises

From West Virginia to the UK, these bizarre animal sightings remind us that the natural world still holds many secrets—leaving both experts and the public wondering what’s really out there.