Philadelphia Weirdness

Curiosity Killed The Cat!

In a handful of previous episodes of Philadelphia Weirdness we've discussed the folklore and possibility of large, exotic cats roaming the outskirts of town. Although dismissed by wildlife authorities, the cougar may still exist on the fringes of the city and throughout Pennsylvania, despite the fact the last specimen was allegedly killed in 1874. These next two cases will have you questioning the sceptiscim towards the idea that mysterious felids are indeed inhabiting the dark woods.

On October 10th, 2008 it was reported that a man from southern Lancaster County had been attacked by a large, unidentified cat at dusk, just outside his home in Quarryville. Samuel Fisher claimed that after seeing the cat, firing at it, and then chasing it, he found it injured and the animal turned on him. Evidence is now lacking although neighbors claim the beast may well have been a mountain lion. Although is it any surprise the unfortunate animal responded the way it did after being pursued for no reason?

On November 25th in Willistown Township, Chester County another exotic cat was fired upon. This one didn't escape. Rumor spread that the spotted cat—a serval, which is native to Africa—was killed on a farm on the Garrett Mill Road. The Pennsylvania Game Commission claimed they'd received a call from a farm manager on behalf of a smaller farm, stating that some wild cat had been attacking chickens.

According to state law, the farmer was permitted to kill the animal in order to protect his livestock and the following day WCO Scott Frederick visited the farm, took the body of the serval and transported it to the Southeast Region Office in Reading.

The owner of the "beast" had been identified and the ownership of the animal questioned and put under investigation.

With such prowling animals considered folklore across the world, for roaming places they most certainly shouldn't, the Willistown case proves that such animals are indeed lurking in the woods, and invading towns to feast on small prey. However, as long as such cats are not recognized or even admitted to, then it enables anyone to hunt such animals, and those which are injured could be very dangerous to the public.

As cougars continue to exist on the fringes of mythology, the smaller and spotted serval clearly proved that anyone is able to obtain an exotic cat. Such releases or escapees into the wilds will keep our imaginations fired, until the next installment, but let's just hope that similar animals evade the bullet.

For a glimpse of the serval carcass visit the Wild About PA blog run by Marcus Schneck.

Image credit: Flickr user edge1