There's a mysterious wildcat terrorizing the residents of Patchakan Village in Corozal. Many of them have reported hearing their farm animals screeching at night, only to find them dead the next day. According to the chairman, they've been dealing with this issue for about a week now, and they've already reached out for assistance. He spoke to us via phone today.
Voice of: Wilfredo Medina, Chairman, Patchakan
"About a week ago, residents called me and they were giving me more information because they heard that they're pets were screaming and when they looked, their pets were not there. So on another occasion, I was given another call and again that is when residents called my attention that they had some pictures where only the skeleton of their sheep was remaining."
"What I could tell you is that mostly it has been happening during the nighttime, and not too late, like 10:00 the animal is already attacking."
"What I am asking the community is that they need to be more cautious, especially during the night and the day as well because you know anything could happen, just that we need to be very cautious of our area, not only that specific area where we have seen the wild animal coming but the whole community needs to be cautious in whichever area we are, we just need to be more vigilant."
Courtney Menzies:
"Is this the first time something like this has happened in the village?"
Voice of: Wilfredo Medina, Chairman, Patchakan
"From what I can recall, yes, but older people can attest that yes there has been other instances long ago."
"We gave information to the rangers and to the Forestry Department even to the Belize Zoo. But we got in contact with the rangers and the Forestry Department, however, both of them were here today this morning and I spoke to them and they also spoke to the residents who have been experiencing those types of damages to their pets and livestock."
Medina explained that the rangers would be back on Thursday to set up cameras in hopes of identifying the animal.
