Part 12/17:
Conspiracy theories flourished, fueled by reports from hunters of mysterious carcasses, strange claw marks, and sightings of black-and-white-striped animals darting through marshes at night. Drone footage and blurry photos added to the intrigue, despite no verified evidence confirming any such operation. Official agencies denied any releases or clandestine projects, attributing sightings to misidentifications of native animals or pests.