In what became a quick sensation on video coverage of several stations, multiple Metro police officers and animal control chased an exotic animal throughout a central valley shopping center parking lot.
Metro officers, animal control, and a dozen volunteers many with their phones rolling decided it was “big news,” and chased the animal for at least an hour. Several people posted online that it may have been the legendary chupacabra a mix of vampire and marauding, furry lizard.  Another person claimed it was a Kangaroo.
It was however, a little bit more mundane and was identified as a Patagonian mara,  which are 4th largest rodents in the world behind the Capybara, Beaver, and Porcupine.
The Patagonian mara was brought to the county’s animal shelter at The Animal Foundation and no one has yet picked it up.
Whoa!! Thanks to viewer @lalomontoya5 for capturing this video of the Patagonian mara loose near Decatur & Sahara!https://t.co/G99z4kzsc5 pic.twitter.com/m6ofv2dQpK
— Jami Seymore (@JamiNews3LV) April 20, 2017
