Skunk Ape Sighting in Central Florida
Date: January 3, 2020
Sighting Time: Approximately 9:30-10:00 pm
Weather: Clear and 70-75 degrees
Location: Dade City, Florida

Investigator: Danielle Auclair - Phantoms & Monsters Fortean Research

The witness, Francis, was outside working around his property on the evening of January 3, 2020.

He spotted movement in his peripheral vision, and turned to see what appeared to be a creature about 7-8 feet tall, with an orange/reddish color, (similar to orangutan hair) running bipedally and very quickly between buildings. He viewed it from the side, and did not get a look at the face. The hair length was 4”-5” long hanging from the arms as it ran, and also covered the rest of the body. The creature ran upright, but was hunched over slightly, with extremely long arms. It made a grunting noise as it ran by, and disappeared quickly into surrounding heavy vegetation and brush. The witness noticed a strong smell, resembling a wet animal and sulpher.

He looked in the area that night for evidence, and found what appeared to be a nesting area and possible tracks. The next day, early heavy rains erased whatever evidence was left. He and his wife lease a small farm and are missing quite a few chickens in the past year. They had 60 to start, and are now down to about 15 total, and there is also a pig missing in recent weeks.

The property consists of hundreds of acres, with a large creek for water, plenty of shelter with abandoned trailers, outbuildings, and livestock to potentially use as a food source.

The area is very rural and open in general, with numerous agricultural and livestock operations.

I attempted to collect further evidence, but due to restricted access, was unable.

Witness claimed that height was about equal to the cut branch on the tree. He is 6’1” (above)

Area the creature ran into (above)

The place where it was observed (above)