Latest news with #DonovanLuis
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Beast or best friend? Officials weigh in
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Curiosity spread like wildfire after a blurry image hit the internet two weeks ago. Search for possible large wild cat in Mānoa called off The snapshot sparked speculation with many, including the eyewitness, Donovan Luis, who took the photo, convinced the animal was a large wild cat. Jonathan Ho, the manager of the Department of Agriculture plant quarantine branch, said it looks like this one is a case of mistaken identity. 'It's more than likely a dog,' Ho explained. 'The way that they have their paws kind of wide, where cats tend to have their feet closer together. And then the color pattern, it again, much more like a bulldog mix.' Ho admitted they don't have definitive proof the animal is not a wildcat, but said all the evidence they've gathered has led to this conclusion. 'We put out trail cams and we baited them just to see if we could get something to come in. We got quite a few pictures of cats, feral domestic, feral cats in the areas,' he said. 'Those animals are not disappearing. People's pets aren't disappearing. All of that really doesn't lead us to believe that it is a large wild cat.'Ho said big predators have large territories and they don't usually hang around, and this animal was spotted twice in one week in the same place, which doesn't fit the profile. Even the location is an unlikely choice for a mountain lion. 'At that point of the mountain, kind of in between all these residential areas, for an ambush predator. That's kind of cryptic. It doesn't comport with biology. So based off of all of that, we've, you know, we're kind of calling it off,' he explained. But Ho added that they are glad Donovan Luis reported the sighting. 'Things happen and realistically if you don't know, call,' he said. '(It's) better to be safe than sorry. And you know, we can work with folks. And thankfully, this one turned out to be nothing.' Check out more news from around Hawaii Nothing? Or another mystery that had us chasing our tails? If you see an animal that you don't recognize, call their hotline at 643-PEST Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Residents try to catch glimpse of mystery animal at UH Manoa
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Photos taken earlier this week of an apparent large animal behind the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus sparked interest across the island. On May 23, Oahu resident Donovan Luis shared photos of what appears to be a large cat in the rough and overgrown terrain near the East-West Center. He said he first saw the large animal on May 19, and then saw it again that morning. HPD searching for two attempted murder suspects The same day, Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement officers were on scene after the agency said it received multiple reports of a large cat spotted in the area. Luis said he sent the photos to state agencies on May 19, but didn't hear back. Once he saw it again he said he sent the photos to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. 'As soon as they saw the pictures they were here,' Luis said. He said he knew some people wouldn't believe the photos but he said he feels better sharing them and alerting the public just in case the animal potential dangers regarding the animal, Luis returned to the area hoping to get another glimpse. 'I like see 'em again,' he said laughing. 'People are saying it's a dog, and I just really want to know what it is.' He said it was the orange color that initially caught his eye when he first spotted it. He said the animal was about 200 to 300 yards away and surrounded by overgrown brush. 'After my pictures, I saw it stand up, shake and walk right into that area over there,' he said while pointing to a rock outcrop. 'It looks like a den kind of thing.' Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news He said animal officers were above that 'den' area and were seen throwing rocks. On May 24, he said he saw state agencies headed up towards the area to place trail cameras. And the viral photos peaked residents' interest. Nelson Chauncey drove to Manoa from Waimanalo to see if he could spot the animal. 'I'm a believer, yeah,' he said. 'Especially when you saw the different angles of the photos, you had one facing forward, the other photo had its head turned.' Inmate convicted of kidnapping missing from OCCC Luis admits he'd be skeptical too if he didn't see the animal with his own eyes. But for now, people are making guesses on what the animal might be. Many people believe it's a leopard, cougar or mountain lion. Others believe it's a dog. The Honolulu Zoo said all of its animals are accounted for and given the uncertainty surrounding the spcies of the animal, they said the behavior and potential danger remain uncertain. Paws for concern: What's lurking above UH They urge everyone to exercise caution and refrain from approaching wild animals, especially dangerous ones. KHON2 reached out to DLNR for an update on May 24 but has not yet heard back. DLNR asks anyone with information about the animal or sightings to call 808-643-DLNR or report it on the DLNRtip app. 'But I feel better now because if somebody got hurt or attacked, at least I said something, if I didn't I would have been like 'man, I should have said something,' so yeah I definitely feel better,' Luis said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
