Social media users have been left stumped after officials in Amarillo, Texas, released an image of an unidentified figure spotted outside a local zoo.
In a news release on the City of Amarillo website, officials for the city revealed that a creepy silhouette was spotted outside of the Amarillo Zoo at approximately 1:25AM on May 21.
Stumped by what the figure could be, officials ask: "Was it a person with a strange hat who likes to walk at night? A large coyote on its hind legs? A Chupacabra?"
The city has dubbed the creature "a UAO – Unidentified Amarillo Object".
Sharing an image of the figure on the City of Amarillo Twitter page, officials revealed: "The Amarillo Zoo captured a strange image outside the zoo in the dark and early morning hours of May 21 (around 1:25 a.m.).
"Is it a person with a strange hat who likes to walk at night? A chupacabra? Do you have any ideas of what this UAO- Unidentified Amarillo Object could be?"
And it wasn't long before Twitter users submitted their suggestions for what the spine-chilling figure could be.
Some suggested that it could be a "Skin-Walker" from the Navajo culture. These are described as being a type of harmful witch that can shapeshift in order to disguise themselves as an animal.
"Skin walker, they're actually quite nice, simply misunderstood," joked one Twitter user.
Another added: "Clearly a Skinwalker phasing between two densities/dimensions and what better place but the Zoo. I mean. DUH."
Others suggested another type of mythical being, such as a "Kokopelli or werewolf".
One Twitter user suggested that it could be the same creature seen in the Dog Soldiers film series.
Some people were less suspicious, with one person simply suggesting that the figure is just a "person with a mask on".
Speaking to officials, City of Amarillo (COA) Director of Parks and Recreation Michael Kashuba shared his thoughts on the bizarre sighting.
"It is definitely a strange and interesting image," Kashuba said. "Maybe Amarillo can help solve the mystery of our UAO."
Kashuba also wanted to stress that the figure was spotted outside of the Amarillo Zoo, adding: "There were no signs of attempted entry into the zoo. No animals or individuals were harmed. There we no signs of criminal activity or vandalism."
Of course, there's also the chance that this could be some kind of elaborate publicity stunt - because I definitely want to visit the zoo and do some investigating myself.
If you have any ideas on what this figure could be, you can contact the COA communications office at [email protected].
