A creature thought to have vanished from existence has been captured on camera, leaving people both terrified and amazed.
The elusive creature was spotted in the mountains of Jaén, southern Spain, by Ángel Hidalgo, an amateur wildlife photographer.
Ángel, aged 29, shared her extraordinary encounter on Instagram, referring to the creature as ‘The White Ghost of the Mediterranean Forest.’
She accompanied her photos with a post saying: “In a new area where I began tracking a few months ago, while reviewing one of my trail cameras, I observed something I couldn’t believe… From then on, I dedicated all my available time to it; I had to see this marvel with my own eyes.
“Time passed – hours, days, weeks, even months – without success, and on many occasions, I was on the verge of giving up… One morning, after a night of rain, I was walking as I had done so many times before when suddenly, in the distance, I saw a white shape that seemed to radiate its own light.
“Upon seeing for the first time a ‘White Iberian Lynx,’ with its snow-white winter coat and those piercing eyes, I was paralyzed; I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.”
Ángel added: “I felt incredibly fortunate to witness this moment, to be able to see this magnificent lynx in its natural habitat.
“Encountering this feline was an unforgettable memory for me, and it made me reflect on the importance of nature and conservation…”
“I hope this long story inspires some to appreciate and protect the natural beauty of the world around us.”
This lynx carries a rare genetic condition known as leucism, resulting in a lack of pigment in its fur, which gives it a strikingly pale look while still retaining its eye color, unlike albino animals.
Following the release of the footage online, reactions flooded in, with many expressing astonishment and even fear.
One commenter described it as ‘a mythical creature,’ and another compared it to the Pokémon ‘Mewtwo.’
A third person humorously remarked: “Lmfao that’s an old, OLD ancient guardian. Look at the eyes. You can tell.. chills.”
The sighting occurred last Wednesday (October 22) in Jaén province, as reported by Spanish outlet Ahora Jaén. Authorities have withheld the specific location of the sighting, as the lynx was found without a tracking collar, confirming its wild status.