He’s Real! Orinda’s Possum Man Turns up In Old Photo Ingniting Fears and Speculation
Source: Original photo from the Local Tattler taken in 2014 as the opossums overwhelmed the sandbags. Possum Man clearly visible in human clothes! (1)
Orinda, CA – A recent article in the LocalTattler has sent shockwaves through the community of Orinda after readers noticed an alarming detail in a photograph from the 2014 opossum infestation. At the top of the image, a figure resembling a half-man, half-opossum appears, sparking concerns and fears that the so-called "Possum Man" may be real and present in the area.
Renewed Fear and Speculation
The 2014 opossum infestation was a trying time for Orinda, but this new potential sighting has brought back unsettling memories and raised new questions. For years, sporadic reports of a creature dubbed "Possum Man" were dismissed as hallucinations caused by drugs, alcohol, or dementia. However, the recent photograph has given these old stories new credibility. "This is not some National Enquirer hoax about Bat Boy; this is about Possum Man. Some say Possum Man can hang by his tail and play dead," stated Carol Slater of Contra Costa Animal Control.
A man dressed in dark sunglasses and a suit was seen walking down Orinda Way carrying a sign that read "Possum Man Is Real." This has ignited a flurry of activity on social media platforms like NextDoor, where residents are discussing and theorizing about the existence of Possum Man.
Some feel that Possum Man could be an effective tool to get children to accomplish tasks. For some families, the threat of Billy No-Fingers has been overused, and an alternative is needed. Last night the Caplins were able to get their son Josh to go back and “brush his teeth like he means it” by threatening him with a visit by Possum Man. “I think he’s gotten too old to believe in Billy No-fingers. I think Possum Man can be used as an effective threat against kids of all ages
Questions About Abilities and Motives
Residents are concerned about Possum Man's powers. Some speculate he might have harmless or even beneficial abilities, like ripening avocados. Others fear he could have more sinister capabilities, such as causing smoke alarm batteries to expire prematurely and beep intermittently, disturbing household peace.
Authorities Take Action
The Orinda Police Department, along with animal control officers and reporters from the LocalTattler, are actively investigating the potential presence of Possum Man. They are searching known hiding places and are following up on leads to determine the validity of these sightings. "We are not sure if Possum Man is armed or has rabies. We recommend that if you encounter Possum Man, you drop to the ground and play dead," stated Carl Jone of Contra Cost Animal Control. In contrast, others say that this could be the worst thing to do, given an opossum's affinity for eating dead animals. "Why do people assume Possum Man is a man? I would rather refer to it as Possum Person until we truly understand the gender of this creature," stated Steve Taylor, a concerned resident of Orinda.
Official Response
Chief Carol Rodriguez of the Orinda Police Department has addressed the community's concerns. When asked who would win in a hypothetical encounter between Possum Man and Billy No-Fingers, a fire department mascot, she responded, "Possum Man is a mythical creature that is believed to inhabit the BART tunnel. Based on what we know, my bet is on Possum Man."
Community on Edge
As the search for Possum Man continues, the community remains on edge. The possibility of another opossum invasion, or worse, the presence of a creature with unknown intentions and abilities, has unsettled many residents. The Orinda Police Department urges anyone with information or sightings of Possum Man to come forward.
While authorities work to uncover the truth, Orinda residents are left to grapple with the unsettling possibility that Possum Man may indeed be real and among them. The investigation continues, and the community remains vigilant, hoping for answers and a resolution to this eerie mystery.
Footnotes
1) If you see a person wearing human clothes with opossum hands and feet, do not assume they are Possum Man. How would you have the expertise to identify opossum appendages versus those of other marsupials? Please leave the identification to experts.
2) What makes a person an expert on Possum Man? Do you receive a certificate from an agency, society, or governing body?
3) What if Possum Man is coming from the future to warn us about something, and we are spending all our time trying to capture him and have him stuffed at Eternal Companions, Orinda’s pet taxidermy service located in the bustling Orinda Theater Square retail corridor.
Related stories:
https://www.localtattler.com/news/orinda-reevaluates-fourth-of-july-mascot-amid-community-concerns