An Amarillo Mystery: Creature Sighting Near Amarillo Zoo
The newest cryptid sweeping the news channels is a sighting in Amarillo, Texas by the Amarillo Zoo. Although it wasn’t released until June 2022, the sighting actually took place in the early hours of May 21st (around 1:25 a.m.). The image of the strange being was captured by a security cameras inside a perimeter fence at the Amarillo Zoo.
The town is calling the sightings a UAO (Unidentified Amarillo Object) and has even released a playful statement regarding the growing notoriety of the being. “We just want to let the Amarillo community have some fun with this,” said City of Amarillo (COA) Director of Parks and Recreation Michael Kashuba. “It is important to note that this entity was outside the Amarillo Zoo. There were no signs of attempted entry into the zoo. No animals or individuals were harmed. There were no signs of criminal activity or vandalism.
Here is the original image, as well as an image Scott enhanced in a few different ways:
The original image as taken by a SpyPoint camera.
Scott Philbrook’s light editing to clarify the being.
This creature, or whatever it is, was captured on a SpyPoint camera. For all those asking for the video…well, I’m sorry to say there isn’t any. This particular model only takes quick shots of movement in stills. Additionally, at this moment I have not discovered any additional photos taken before or after this capture.
The capture was discovered by Amarillo Zoo employees who were reviewing trail and game cameras from near the perimete Michael Kashuba, the parks and recreation department director for the city of Amarillo, told CBS the cameras only take photos and the now-famous picture overlooks an open area of the park right outside the zoo that doesn't receive heavy traffic. He said a staff member had sent him the image, and after conferring with other coworkers, they reached a consensus: "Nobody could figure out what it was."
It’s safe to say that there is something unsettling in the capture, even if it has terrestrial origins. This inexplicable capture has been drawing people in all week. The strange gauntness of the creature, the positioning of the limbs, and even the proportions of the body just seem to make our brains sound in alarm.
But what is it?
A huge amount of theories have come in — from the terrestrial, likely an oddly caught or positioned animal, to the extraterrestrial - like a new cryptid, chupacabra, or even a skinwalker. Even some believe it is a person half-in a ‘furry’ or mascot-like costume, and half out. And, of course, Astonishing Legends listeners’ have no shortage of ideas. With permission from those who shared, check out some of the thoughts of fellow legenders:
“With the top already being blurry as it is, I wouldn’t expect any enhancements to do much. Especially with the low resolution camera feed. That said, I do find how soft and blurry the original is though. Compared to the rest, it seems a little out of place. Another thing, I’m questioning it being a person in a suit because of the center of gravity. Both legs look to be in front of the body, and that would be a hard posture to sustain. Unless it was falling back or getting up. The camera not being leveled might also be the culprit though.”— Joe L. (@hazrd on discord)
”It’s a guy with a backpack slung over his shoulder. The shoulder closest to the camera is actually facing away from the fence and the backpack is hanging low on his back. He’s wearing a cowboy hat or sombrero. Classic pareidolia.”— Scott M.
“The bend/angle from what appears to be the knee to the hip makes my skin crawl- very uncanny valley. Like something attempting to imitate human legs and failing.”—Abie S.
“Potentially could be a goat(or similar) facing the opposite direction and rearing up on its hind legs (i.e.snake scare?) the blur being the result of rapid motion.” —Daniel M.
“The Comanche were native to that region. Check out the Buffalo headdress that some chiefs used to wear. This looks like a man in breeches with one of those headdresses and feathers on!”—Cheyenne M.
Colorized by Elaine R.