Fact Check

Siberian Tigers Stalk Firefighter in Washington Cascades

A satirical Facebook group shared a photograph purportedly showing a pair of Siberian tigers stalking a firefighter.

Published Feb. 5, 2016

Claim:
A photograph shows two Siberian tigers stalking a firefighter in the Washington Cascades.

On 2 February 2016, the Facebook group World Trails Foundation shared a photo purportedly showing two Siberian tigers stalking a firefighter in the Washington Cascades:

Important Alert! Recently, a U.S. Forestry Department worker was stalked by escaped renegade Siberian Tigers in the Central Washington Cascades! As seen in the photo, the worker was unaware of the tigers while he was hiking on a ski trail. The flash from the camera scared off the beasts, and they remain at large. They're believed to be the tigers who were let loose in the Cascades a decade ago. Long thought dead, it appears these cats are all too alive and healthy. There has been another as yet unconfirmed sighting near Gold Creek Sno-Park. Hikers, snowshoers, snowmobilers and skiers are advised to proceed with caution. Experts recommend carrying a five pound bag of cat food to throw at the cats if pursued.

tigers and cascades

There was no truth to this story, however. There are no "renegade Siberian tigers" roaming the Washington Cascades, and the "World Trails Foundation" is a non-existent organization that promotes recreational trails with fake photographs and fictional stories:

The World Trails Foundation is a so far completely fictitious organization dedicated to the promotion and maintenance of the world's recreational trails!

In addition to the site's disclaimer, the group's acronym "WTF" hints at the nature of the group's material.

Dan Evon is a former writer for Snopes.

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