Drivers in rural Joelton have been hitting the brakes for something a little more exotic than the usual deer. An oryx, an antelope-like animal, has been wandering local roads, fields, and backyards, startling neighbors who have now dubbed the mystery visitor “Leonard.” Animal control agencies have been alerted, are tracking reports, and say the animal is still on the loose.
According to WKRN News 2, the first sightings came in several days before the station’s report. Cheatham County Animal Control initially received the calls and then transferred the case to Metro Animal Care and Control. Joelton resident Gigi De Lugo told the station the antelope has popped up just about everywhere, including backyards, farms, woods, and roadways, and said she hopes Leonard can be caught before he causes a car accident.
Officials Say It Is an Oryx, Urge Caution On The Roads
Reporters and local officials have identified the animal as an oryx, a nonnative species, and agencies told WSMV it is treated as a class 3 animal, essentially livestock under many regulations. The station noted sightings that briefly slowed traffic on nearby roads and stirred up safety concerns among residents. Animal-control crews say they are coordinating efforts to track down and secure Leonard in a way that keeps the public out of harm’s way.
How To Report A Leonard Sighting
Officials are asking residents who spot the animal to keep their distance and contact Metro Animal Care and Control at 615-862-7928 or use the city’s reporting channels, rather than trying to approach the oryx themselves. Per Metro Animal Care and Control, neighbors should bring pets and children indoors and share as much detail as possible when reporting loose animals, including the location, time, and any photos they are able to take safely.
Why Neighbors Are Worried About Leonard
Residents suspect Leonard may have slipped out of a nearby exotic farm, and witnesses say they have seen the animal jump into roadways, forcing drivers to hit the brakes without warning. Because oryx are not native to the area and can act unpredictably when stressed, crews are taking extra care to plan a capture that keeps people and pets safe. Officials and neighbors agree that finding and securing Leonard quickly is a top priority to prevent collisions and injuries, as documented by WSMV.
