Higher Calling Wildlife

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Watch my exclusive video with new photo evidence here.

Warthogs in Texas Are Increasing — And Red River Hogs Are on the Radar! Exclusive Photos

November 15, 2025 Chester Moore Leave a comment

Something unusual is happening in Texas. Sightings of warthogs are increasing, and now there are credible reports of Red River Hogs (“Congo Hogs” or “Tufted Pigs”) appearing as well.

These brightly colored African hogs were never meant to be in the Lone Star State, yet we have exclusive proof they are in Texas and in the wild.

In this investigation, I reveal exclusive photos, look at where these reports are coming from, explore the history of exotic hogs in Texas, and explain why these species may be gaining a foothold. Texas already has wild hog problems — but this is a new chapter.

Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more wildlife investigations and field-based reporting.

I’ve always been fascinated with hogs and have written extensively on them here. Check out this past post about white feral hogs.

In Case You Missed It!

A man was attacked by a giant catfish and I personally interviewed him and saw the massive scar on his back!

This month marks the 20th anniversary of my groundbreaking investigation into truly giant catfish— mysterious creatures that continue to blur the line between science and legend. From murky depths to late-night campfire tales, these fish have become modern myths that just might be real.

Watch the video by clicking here!

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Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Dark Outdoors, Mysterious Wildlife

Man Attacked by Giant Catfish! (Video)

November 11, 2025 Chester Moore Leave a comment

A man was attacked by a giant catfish and I personally interviewed him and saw the massive scar on his back!

Watch the video by clicking here!

Watch the video to see the footage and hear the story in full detail.

The catfish attack was a strange sidebar in a story that was (and still is) very interesting to cover and investigate in person.

A super fun was part was I found myself diving alongside “Splash,” the world-record blue catfish housed at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, Texas. At the time, I was chasing every lead I could on reports of monster catfish lurking in reservoirs and beneath massive dams — stories that had spooked divers for decades.

Have you ever heard the old tales of divers surfacing pale and trembling, refusing to go back under because of what they saw?

I decided to find out the truth for myself — and along the way, I still can’t believe I met a man who had actually been attacked by one of these massive fish.

Watch the video to discover the full story — and decide for yourself whether these river giants are merely fish tales… or something far more extraordinary.

Chester Moore

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Listen here with links to the show on Spotify, Apple, IHeartradio & Audible.

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Dark Outdoors, Mysterious Wildlife, Uncategorized

Deep Dive On Black Panthers In America!

September 30, 2025 Chester Moore Leave a comment

What if America’s wilderness hides a predator science won’t acknowledge? In this episode of Dark Outdoors®, author Michael Mayes—known for his work Shadow Cats—joins us to dig into the controversial and chilling reports of black panthers roaming across the U.S.

You can listen directly on Podbean here.

For decades, eyewitnesses from Texas to the Appalachians have sworn they’ve seen something impossible: massive black panthers prowling the woods, stalking farmlands, and vanishing into the shadows. Yet, mainstream science insists such creatures don’t exist in North America.

In this thought-provoking episode of Dark Outdoors, we sit down with author and researcher Michael Mayes to explore the mystery at the heart of his book Shadow Cats. Together, we examine chilling accounts, folklore, and the deep cultural roots of black panther sightings. Are these elusive predators a product of myth, mass misidentification, or could there be something truly hidden in America’s wild places?

Expect a conversation that pushes beyond campfire tales—diving into history, biology, and the unsettling implications of predators that may walk unseen. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, this is one episode that will make you think twice the next time you walk into the woods after dark.

Are they black mountain lions – black cougars?

Are they black jaguars?

Are they jaguarundi?

Are they escaped exotics?

What about the mysterious black longtail?

Take a deep dive on black panthers with us.

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You can listen to this intriguing episode here.

The Strange Rock Apes Reported By Many Vietnam War Veterans

September 3, 2025 Chester Moore Leave a comment

Were U.S. soldiers in Vietnam only battling human enemies—or were they also encountering undiscovered ape species in the jungle? Author RC Bramhall joins Dark Outdoors to reveal the terrifying legend of the Rock Apes.

Were U.S. soldiers in the Vietnam War facing more than just human enemies? Many veterans swore they encountered these creatures, known as the “Rock Apes,” while fighting in the dense jungles of Southeast Asia.

On this episode of Dark Outdoors, RC Bramhall, author of Haunted War Tales, joins Chester Moore to share chilling stories of these bipedal, ape-like beings and the battles that ensued.

Blending military history, cryptid lore, and firsthand soldier accounts, Bramhall explores whether these encounters were stress-induced hallucinations or genuine brushes with an undiscovered primate. If you’re drawn to the eerie crossroads of war stories, wilderness mysteries, and other strange outdoors phenomena this episode is one you can’t miss.

New Shirts For Sale!

Want the coolest ocean conservation shirt out there?

I’m doing a Gulf Great White Shark Society t-shirt and a decal with shipping (US only) for $20.

We have adult small through XL. Our 2X sold out.

Get yours now before they run out! We have one order at this price.

You can order at the link by clicking here.

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Dark Outdoors: Murder Mountain, Meth Labs & More

A Mexican Gray Wolf In Texas?

May 24, 2025 Chester Moore 2 Comments

I’ll never forget staring into the eyes of a big male Mexican gray wolf.

Its piercing eyes reflected a wild lineage that roamed the Southwest until the white man moved in with guns, traps and poison.

This was early in my career and the animal resided at a captive breeding facility where remnants of the highly endangered subspecies were being bred for release into the wild.

I shot tons of photos but they were lost in Hurricane flood damage-along with many others.

Since that time there have been numerous releases in New Mexico and even pups born in the wild there.

So, when Jaclyn Booth sent me this photo I took notice because the animal looked very much like the wolves I had seen at the facility so many years ago.

But before we get into this let me tell you about something that can save your life in the great outdoors.

In remote areas, finding an unusual amount of foot traffic is a real warning sign of finding illegal growers and meth operations. Believe me-It happened to me.

I give my safety tips and tell some crazy outdoors dangers stories including a guy who had an attack dog set loose on him when he came across a grow in Arkansas. Listen to this episode at the link below.

Now back to the wolf-something far safer to encounter in the wild! Remember-people are the most dangerous thing.

The photo came through my “The Wildlife Journalist” Facebook and had no information on where it came from.

My thought was “Wow, that’s a gray wolf, probably a Mexican gray wolf.”

I messaged her to find out what state the photo came from and when she said it came from her ranch in Hall County, TX I was in shock.

The photo below is a coyote from the same ranch and in fact at different angles of the same log. Compare this coyote and the canid in the above photo.

Now compare with this one of a Mexican gray wolf taken at the Alameda Park Zoo below. Notice the extreme likeness.

In 2013 I had a professional trapper who has trapped and killed thousands of coyotes tell me of seeing a Mexican gray wolf near Alpine, TX the year previous. He was adamant at what he saw.

Is there a possibility of having Mexican gray wolf-coyote hybrids (that maybe lean heavily on wolf appearance) in the region?

Absolutely. It has been proven that coyotes and gray wolves hybridize by numerous researchers.

A Mexican gray wolf in a zoo for comparison.

Are there Mexican wolves in Texas?

The jury is still out but on a ranch in Hall County there is definitely an animal that looks a whole lot like one. If you have any wolf photos or videos from Texas or animals you might suspect are carrying wolf DNA email to chester@chestermoore.com.

Chester Moore

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Seguin, TX Jaguarundi, Big Cat Sighting

May 16, 2025 Chester Moore Leave a comment

Over the years, I’ve tracked countless reports of mystery cats across Texas—from the Pineywoods to the borderlands—and every now and then, a sighting pops up that really grabs my attention. That happened again recently with reports coming out of Seguin, Texas, where residents have taken to social media to share stories of a large, black feline being called a jaguarundi roaming near homes and fields.

Check out my latest video on the jaguarundi.

Some are saying it’s a jaguarundi—a small wild cat once native to South Texas and long rumored to still exist in isolated pockets. And honestly, I can see why people would think that. The descriptions match up: long-bodied, dark-colored, with a tail nearly as long as the body itself. It’s the kind of profile that some say matches a jaguarundi.

Jaguarundis are one of the least known cats on the planet. Although short, they grow fairly long and someone seeing one of these cats could easily label it “black panther”. (USFWS Photo)

But before we jump to conclusions, let’s take a breath.

I’ve been studying these kinds of sightings for decades, and while I don’t doubt the sincerity of the witnesses, I always encourage a cautious approach. Jaguarundis haven’t been officially documented in Texas for quite some time. That said, I do believe there are some in Texas but there is another cat with a similar appearance.

In my own work, I’ve coined the term “black longtail” to describe what some people mistakenly call “black panthers” in Texas and elsewhere. The cats I am talking about obviously aren’t melanistic leopards or jaguars but they also don’t neatly fit the normal domestic house cat category. They’re something else. I’ve collected dozens of firsthand accounts of black, long-bodied cats that defy easy classification.

So could the Seguin cat be a jaguarundi? It’s possible. Could it be a black longtail? Just as likely. I’ve even considered the idea of large black domestic cat hybrids or escaped exotics playing into these stories.

The reality is, we don’t have conclusive photographic or biological evidence yet. What we have is an intriguing sighting that fits a pattern I’ve seen before.

If you’re interested in digging deeper, I’ve covered the jaguarundi mystery in detail on my YouTube channel in the video in this video.

I also explore the wider phenomenon of “black longtails” in this video: A Look At The black Longtail

If you’re in the Seguin area and have seen something similar—or have clear photos or videos—I’d love to hear from you. These mystery cats continue to fascinate me, and every report helps build a broader understanding of what might be out there.

Whether it’s a surviving pocket population of jaguarundis or another chapter in the black longtail mystery, one thing is certain: Texas still holds wild secrets. And I’ll be here, doing my best to uncover them.

Gulf Great White Shark Documentary Premiee-You’re Invited!

A documentary from award-winning wildlife journalist & conservationist Chester Moore.

A mysterious great white shark sighting out of Sabine Pass, TX leads to a 20-year investigation from the Texas Gulf Coast to Cape Cod. This proves the true apex predator of the Gulf of Mexico is returning to southern waters in a big win for ocean conservation.

World Premiere Presentation at Museum of the Gulf Coast Saturday June 21.

700 Procter St, Port Arthur, TX 77640

Event 10-2

Documentary Premiere at Noon with second playing at 1 p.m.

Celebrating the new groundbreaking documentary on the 50th anniversary date of the “Jaws” release.

*”The Jaws Effect: Presentation by Chester Moore

*Premiere of Documentary

*Q&A with Chester Moore & Videographer & Editor Paul Fuzinski and some of the stars.

*Door Prizes

Chester Moore

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To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.

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Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.

Bobcat or Ocelot Hybrid? Awesome Photo!

April 26, 2025 Chester Moore 1 Comment

This week, we received a remarkable bobcat from Grayson County, Texas, whose coat features unusually bold, ocelot-like spotting. The patterning is unusual.

Could this be a case of hybridization, or is it simply a rare natural variation?

The bobcat from Grayson County adds to the intriguing spectrum of bobcat appearances in Texas. As bobcats continue to thrive across the state and show up on more game cameras. We have seen several with these kinds of markings.

Have you encountered a bobcat with unusual markings? Share your experiences and photos—we’re eager to learn more about these fascinating felines!

Self Defense In the Outdoors (Must Listen!)

Listen and subscribe here .

Joining us is special guest Jeff Stewart—renowned author, gunsmith, and outdoorsman—who brings decades of tactical knowledge and backwoods experience and self defense to the table. We cover vehicle ambush scenarios, defensive tactics, gear recommendations, and how to mentally prepare for the unthinkable.

This is a must-listen for anyone who spends serious time off-grid, from overlanders and hunters to campers and rural residents.

Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms

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To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.

Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Gulf of Mexico, Mysterious Wildlife

An Answer To Gulf Sea Snake Mystery?

March 25, 2025 Chester Moore Leave a comment

The réponse to my blogs about sea snake sightings in the Gulf of Mexico over the last few years ha been tremendous. I have received nearly 200 reports dating back to the 1970s ranging from Cuba to the South Texas Coast.

Some have included photos that were misidentified eels, yet other reports were more mysterious.

Sea snakes are not indigenous to the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic so these reports are quite controversial to say the least.

I recently received an email with an interesting and (fairly) clear photo of a snake caught on Galveston Island, TX.

The people who caught it thought it might be a sea snake.

After all, it was on the beach and did not look like snakes commonly seen by most citizens in the region.

The snake in the photo however is a Gulf salt marsh snake (Nerodia clarkii clarkii).

I never thought of these being the source of some Gulf region sea snake sightings until receiving this photo.

It does makes sense for numerous reports I have received in open bays and beaches in the region.

Very few people know of this snake and they are very aquatic.

According to officials with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD), the Gulf salt marsh snake grows to a length of 15 to 30 inches.

Distinguishing characteristics include two longitudinal tan or yellow stripes on each side of the body, making up the dorsal (top) pattern of the snake. It has a reddish-brown or grayish-black ventral (bottom) color with one to three rows of large pale spots along the center of the belly. This snake is flat headed.

They added that as a way to avoid predators, salt marsh snakes are nocturnal (active at night) and often hide in shoreline debris and in crab burrows in the mud or sand.

The Gulf salt marsh snake does not have salt glands to help rid itself of the salt it eats so it must be very careful not to drink salt water. It gets moisture from rainfall and from the animals it eats.

Interestingly, their name is Nerodia clarkii, but it is a subspecies of this group so the actual name is Nerodia clarkii clarkii according to the University of Florida.

The other two subspecies are found in Florida. The Mangrove salt marsh snake (Nerodia clarkii compressicauda) is found from central Gulf coast of Florida, around the Keys to Indian River County on the Atlantic coast. The Atlantic salt marsh snake (Nerodia clarkii taeniata) has a very small range.

These snakes are nonvenomous but will bite if handled.An illustration of a true sea snake, a banded sea krait. If you are vacationing or working in their Pacific and Indian ocean range do not pick up. Sea snakes are the most venomous snakes on Earth despite generally having a calm disposition.

It’s best to leave them alone especially noting that TPWD officials and other researchers believe their numbers are on the decline.

These unique snakes will not account for all of the “sea snake”sightings in the Gulf region but I now believe they are part of the equation.

Chester Moore

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Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.

Gulf of Mexico, Mysterious Wildlife

Many Sea Snake Reports Come From the Gulf of Mexico

March 11, 2025 Chester Moore Leave a comment

There are many sea snake reports coming from the Gulf of Mexico.

Sea snakes are not native to the Gulf and there have never been scientifically verified specimens found in the region but sightings persist.

Here is just a sampling of reports we have received at Higher Calling Wildlife®.

Cave Encounter in Cancun, Mexico
A swimmer in a cave with their 3-year-old daughter encountered a massive, dark, shiny black snake with a vivid, wide red stripe along its side. Estimated at 10 feet long, the snake had a flat, wide body much larger than a python. Despite seeking answers at an aquarium, they could not identify this unusual snake among known sea snake species, as most are much more slender. The sighting occurred 25 years ago.

Sea Krait Sighting in Galveston, Texas
A marine biology-trained couple observed a 7–8 foot long sea krait with a paddle-like tail and unmistakable blue coloring. It swam against a strong outgoing tide near a fishing pier and eventually moved onto land. The witnesses emphasized their certainty in distinguishing it from an eel and speculated its presence might be linked to international shipping introducing non-native species to the area.

Possible Sea Krait in Nayarit, Mexico
A snorkeler in the Islas Marietas National Park off the Nayarit coast reported seeing what appeared to be a banded sea krait on the sea floor in a reef. The observer sought confirmation of similar sightings, unsure if their identification was accurate.

Yellow Snake Encounter in Corpus Christi, Texas
A yellow snake emerged from the water at a beach, startling a group of friends. After comparing photos, the snake was tentatively identified as a juvenile yellow-bellied sea snake. The incident led to a discussion on the rarity of sea snakes in the Gulf of Mexico.

Translucent Snake in Bradenton Beach, Florida
A translucent pinkish snake, approximately 2 feet long and 1 inch in diameter, was seen on multiple occasions at a pier. A similar yellowish snake was observed once, both swimming at the surface near lights.

Group of Banded Sea Snakes in Pasco County, Florida
At least 20 banded sea snakes were spotted swimming near a creek mouth by a fisherman with decades of experience in the area. The snakes moved towards the Gulf with the outgoing tide, an unusual sighting for the seasoned observer.

Sea Snake Sighting in Akumal Bay, Mexico
On two separate occasions, a visitor observed what appeared to be a sea snake gliding along the shoreline in Akumal Bay. The black-and-white banded appearance matched images of sea kraits. The observer was struck by the rarity of such sightings in the Caribbean.

Sarasota Bay, Florida Sea Snake Observations
A white sea snake with black bands was seen multiple times in Sarasota Bay, Florida. The observer explained the sightings to friends and initially assumed such snakes lived in the Gulf before reading articles indicating otherwise.

Banded Sea Snake Near Freeport, Texas
During a fishing trip near an offshore oil rig, a witness observed a black-and-white banded sea snake near the rig’s structure.

We believe some of these reports are likely a case of mistaken identity with eels, but some are not as easy to explain away.

What do you think about these reports?

Do you think you have encountered a sea snake in the Gulf of Mexico?

Submit reports to chester@chestermoore.com.

Creepy Dolls In the Swamp!

Swamps are popular places for hunting, fishing and camping.

Swamps are also a place where many crimes are committed and where many missing people simply vanished.

In this captivating episode of the Dark Outdoors podcast, renowned author and adventurer Lyle Blackburn delves into the enigmatic and often perilous realms of North America’s swamplands, as chronicled in his book, “Sinister Swamps: Monsters and Mysteries from the Mire.” Tailored for hunting and fishing enthusiasts, this discussion unveils the hidden dangers and mysteries lurking within these shadowy wetlands.

You can also listen directly on Podbean.

Unexplained Disappearances in the Everglades and Great Dismal Swamp

Blackburn recounts chilling tales of hunters, campers, and outdoorsmen who vanished without a trace in the vast expanses of the Everglades and the Great Dismal Swamp. These stories of missing outdoors lovrs highlight the unpredictable and treacherous nature of these environments, where dense foliage and murky waters can conceal both natural and unnatural threats. Listeners are urged to consider the potential hazards that lie beyond the familiar trails, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and preparedness in such remote areas.

Venturing into the heart of an Alabama swamp, Blackburn explores the unsettling discovery of mysterious dolls eerily displayed among the trees. This bizarre tableau has puzzled locals and visitors alike, sparking theories ranging from local folklore to sinister intentions. For those who frequent the outdoors, this account serves as a reminder of the inexplicable occurrences that can transform a routine excursion into an uncanny experience.

Check out our first, groundbreaking article on sea snakes here.

Chester Moore

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To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.

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