A viral Facebook post claims that a fisherman in Wyoming caught an extinct type of fish known as a "fur trout." The post, shared on the Casper Planet Facebook group on August 23, has been shared more than 8,000 times.
"A Wyoming angler has caught a fish long believed to be extinct: the elusive fur trout. The rediscovery of this species, which hasn't been seen in over 50 years, has stunned the local community and excited conservationists," the post reads.
It goes on to say that "fur trout, known for its distinctive fur-like appearance, once thrived in the streams and rivers of western and northwestern Wyoming. However, by the early 1970s, the species was thought to have been fished out of existence. The fur was highly prized by luxury apparel manufacturers, leading to its decline as it was used in the production of jackets, gloves, and hats."
"This recent catch marks the first confirmed sighting of the fur trout since 1970. The angler, whose name has not been disclosed, plans to have the fish mounted, preserving this extraordinary find. The rediscovery of the fur trout brings hope that this species may still exist in Wyoming's waters, raising questions about the possibility of a small, surviving population. Wildlife experts are now considering what steps might be taken to protect the fur trout and ensure that this isn't the last time it graces Wyoming's streams," the post adds.
However, this story is entirely false. The fur-bearing trout is a fictional creature rooted in American and Icelandic folklore, not a real species. Additionally, the Facebook page that shared the post is a parody account, clearly marked as satire. The bio on the page states, “Delivering the Snews that doesn’t matter directly to your Snews feed. Did we say this is satire? Names/locations are made up.”
Last month, a similar post from the page falsely claimed that a semi-truck carrying a shipment of king cobras crashed along I-25 near Casper, releasing “hundreds of the venomous snakes onto the highway.” The account later clarified that the entire story was fictional, with a follow-up post stating “all the imaginary king cobras reported on Interstate 25 have been successfully captured.”