Posted on 09/10/2020 8:02:08 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
The deputy, Andy Wilson, was working a side job at a business in the industrial park when he reported seeing a large cat rise out of the French Broad River, cross the street and disappear into a dense wooded area, according to Knox County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Kimberly Glenn.
"After a brief moment of shock, he realized it really was a tiger," Glenn said. "It went into a thick area of kudzu."
Wilson, who insisted he hadn't dozed off and dreamed the whole thing, reported the tiger to dispatch about 8:30 p.m.,
Cameron said that officials have yet to confirm a tiger sighting, and if there is a tiger on the lam, they don't know where it came from.
Authorities warn that any big cat should be considered dangerous. Anyone who sees the tiger should document it from a safe distance,
(Excerpt) Read more at knoxnews.com ...
I live in grizzly country near Yellowstone. You are always aware youre not necessarily the top predator on the mountain sometimes. A tiger loose in a populated area is a rather unique issue. Even a cub would be a handful.
“there have been credible reports of mountain lions in the Smokies”
BINGO!!!
On Interstate 75 north of Chattanooga, late night, heavy rain squalls...My brother was driving, I was in the passenger seat.
In a rain burst, suddenly a mountain lion inches from the bumper! I thought we were going to hit it!!!(MY CAR!!!)
I could see the fur was matted from the rain.
It appeared from my position, the body (NOT INCLUDING TAIL) was equal to the width of the front of my Ford Expedition!!
Yes, parallax... and all that, it was HUGE!
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