Claimed encounters in Collier County, Florida
25 entries reported in Collier County, Florida, each linked to the report or podcast segment it came from. Narrow them down with the filters, or see them on the map.
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Possible daylight sighting by motorcyclist 35 miles NE of Naples
The witness was riding a motorcycle north in the morning when a brown figure crossed the road from east to west. The figure moved quickly in a smooth bipedal walk, covering the road in three or four long strides, unlike a bounding deer. After riding through the crossing location, the witness smelled a light skunky body odor lingering for several yards.
Daylight sighting of a man-like ape while target shooting in the Big Cypress National Preserve
The witness stopped in a swampy area to target shoot and was reloading when he heard noise behind him. He turned and saw an ape-like biped watching from behind a tree a short distance away, which made a deep vocal sound. He ran to his car, saw the creature moving away through the trees, and left quickly.
Possible incidents at Bear Island Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve
The witness was camping with companions in Big Cypress Preserve and walked to a parked Jeep to get a phone. About 15 feet into the woods he saw yellow human-like eyes at about his own eye level and smelled a strong skunk and wet-dog odor. Frightened, he returned to the campfire and later revisited the spot with a companion and spotlight but found nothing.
Frightening encounter experienced on family property outside Naples
Three people spending the night in a trailer heard distant howling that grew closer and seemed to come from more than one direction, and they called back. Small stones were thrown toward them, and they heard stomping, grunting, knocking, movement in brush close by, and trees breaking. They retreated into a bedroom where screaming, walking, and contact with the outside of the trailer continued for about an hour while one of them looked through window blinds and was left frightened.
Daylight sighting from Hwy. 41 in the Big Cypress National Preserve
The witness was riding in the back seat of a car traveling west in the early morning. After noticing a strong rotten-egg and wet-dog odor, the witness saw a large dark hair-covered figure standing by a palm 300-500 yards away and facing the road. The view lasted only a few seconds before roadside trees blocked it. After turning around and returning, the figure was gone but a strange smell lingered.
More Tracks Found in the Big Cypress Region (w/photos)
The witness was hiking with a companion when they found two sets of unusual tracks about a mile apart. One set showed an abducted ape-like toe, while the other showed unusually splayed toe prints unlike a human print. Photos of the tracks were later shared with an investigator for review.
Possible footprint found near Ochopee (see Photo)
The witness was hiking in the Big Cypress Preserve when they found a single large footprint off the side of an old road or trail. They searched outward for additional tracks, then measured and photographed the impression. The witness reported feeling uneasy and looking over their shoulder while documenting it.
Possible mid-day sighting by motorist on I-75 (Alligator Alley) in the Everglades
The witness was driving east on Alligator Alley for a test-driving job when he noticed an upright hairy figure in a clearing south of the roadside canal. He watched it for a few seconds as it walked west, noting long arms, dark reddish-brown hair with a lighter chest, and a heavy build. Three companions traveling with him did not see it, and a later drive past the spot revealed no static object that could explain it.
Daylight sighting by motorist on U.S. 41 near I-29
Two people driving east on US 41 to go fishing reported seeing a creature about 50 yards north of the road. The creature turned, took three steps, and knelt down in the grass with its head still visible. The witnesses estimated it was about eight feet tall, and after turning around for another look they did not see it again.
Campers report possible vocalization and footprint in Big Cypress National Preserve
The witness was family camping in the Big Cypress area when she noticed a tall black shape in the woods that vanished minutes later. Around 4 a.m. she awoke to a distant wailing sound with heavy breathing that approached the campsite, passed by the tents and left down a trail, waking several companions who also heard it. In the morning the group followed the direction of travel and found large wide footprints with a four-toe appearance in a sandy trail that had not been there the day before.
Campers hear unfamiliar vocalizations at night in the Everglades
The witness stayed at a remote boat-access camp fishing from the bank while others were away night-fishing or asleep. Around 11:30 p.m. the witness heard two identical loud piercing screams about 30 seconds apart from an estimated 75-100 yards away. No source was seen and no boats were heard, and the witness later told the returning companions about the sounds.
Daylight sighting by motorist near Everglades City, off Turner River Road
The witness was traveling west along an easement road on a clear afternoon when an animal was seen at close range. The animal was on all fours with its front raised, paused to look at the witness for a few seconds, then ran away quadrupedally without ever standing. The witness described it as dark brown, short-haired and ape-like, estimating about two and a half to three feet tall on all fours.
Possible vocalizations noted by fishermen at night off of SR 41
The witness and a companion went to night-fish a muddy runoff pond beside dense woods. From very close range they heard an extremely loud, powerful scream that felt physically intense but they could not locate any source despite scanning with flashlights. They left the area quickly without seeing anything.
Series of reports (6) concerning the Skunk Ape. Photos of the creature and footcasts
On July 16, 1997, a tour guide driving tourists along a road stopped near a burned-out bridge and watched an upright, hair-covered creature for about 15 minutes from 70 to 80 yards away. The guide moved the bus forward and backward to give passengers views and tried to get a passenger with a telephoto lens to exit for photos, but no one would leave. The guide then drove away and could not relocate the creature on a later return.
Hunter reports finding strange tracks in the Everglades, near the area of the Dade County and Collier County line, between Big Cypress and Alligator Alley.
Several months after Hurricane Andrew, the witness and companions were hog hunting from swamp buggies near Big Cypress. After driving through the area overnight, the witness found large human-like bipedal tracks in mud near a water pool, with unusual depth and stride, and later found fresh tracks at the same spot and another set miles away. The group videotaped the tracks and compared them with their own footprints. No creature was seen, and the witness later wondered whether the tracks were from a skunk ape or a prank.
Possible nightime encounter near Lake Trafford
Late at night the witness's family was at home when a dog outside sounded distressed. A relative went out, saw a large shadow by the shed, retrieved a firearm, then saw something flee down the driveway and fired, after which a loud growl-howl was heard followed by silence. The next morning the family found unfamiliar footprints and believed the visitor had leapt across a nearby canal.
while hunting hogs near a cypress bayhead, witness saw a dark brown/black bi-pedal creature.
The witness was hunting hogs alone between two cypress bayheads when a dark object at the treeline stood on two legs and turned to face them. They watched it for about 10 to 15 seconds before it went into the bayhead. Afterwards they found a lingering foul odor and bent grass at the spot but no bare dirt for tracks, and did not follow it.
Man describes incidents in teen years in swamp area outside Naples
The witness and two companions were exploring a swampy wooded area when they found a large steel cage trap baited with fresh meat. After noticing a foul musty odor, they heard a very loud roar from behind them and fled as a large log flew over their heads. They ran home to tell the witness's mother and stayed out of those woods for a long time.
Morning sighting by carpenter crew near Ochopee
A work crew waiting on the roof of a house in early daylight watched a tall hairy figure come out of the basement and walk upright toward nearby trees. The figure then squatted about 40 yards away facing the crew without sound before standing, looking west, and vanishing within a few steps. The crew later noted a foul odor and a makeshift sleeping spot of clothes, rags, weeds and fur under the basement stairs.
Possible tracks noticed by hunters in the Everglades outside Everglades City
The witness was hunting with five relatives and family friends in a remote part of the Everglades in the fall. About an hour into the evening hunt, the group found large footprints in mud at a dried water hole near a tree line, with disturbed brush beyond. The group left the area soon after, ending the trip. The witness later interpreted the tracks as those of a skunk ape.