Monday, October 14, 2013

Large Clawed Paw Prints Found In Eastern Iowa

Large paw prints, with some sizable claws, have shown up on church property in Long Grove, IA. The maintenance manager with St. Ann's Parish noticed the prints yesterday and is now investigating their origin.

"I noticed the huge claws, the big pads," said Dwight Gittings. Gittings was taking out the garbage on Tuesday when he noticed some unique prints in his freshly planted grass seed.

Gittings decided to preserve one of the prints, making a plaster mold so he could get a closer look.

"The more I looked at it I thought maybe a cougar because there have been sightings of cougars in the area," Gittings said.

But DNR officials tell KWQC's Morgan Ottier that the animal that left the tracks isn't a cat. Cats, like cougars, have retractable claws that wouldn't show up in a print.

So, it remains a mystery. But Gittings plans to continue to research the print and set up some cameras outside.

"I'm sure will have parish members concerned for their kids safety," he said. "So, we'll see where we go from here."

And who knows? Before long, the paw print mystery could be solved. - Video at KWQC

Oddball Iowa: A Guide to Some Really Strange Places (Oddball series)

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NOTE: These prints look a bit like talons. The pads don't seem to fit the claws...unless it was a wolf or bear. Lon

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