Gallery of the Uncommon

INESC Beast

Those who park their cars at the INESC TEC parking site and are attentive to details, may have already noticed that the felidae family has been taking over the place. But if in the past it was just a cat or two, now the “mousers” seem to be multiplying.

Let us try to understand the situation.

A while back, we started noticing a discrete accumulation of cat food near some vehicles. That is, we imagined it was cat food but how can we tell? However, this gathering did not keep discrete for long: the pile started generously gaining terrain until it got – take a good look at this – to the building’s entrance.

If previously the nourishment was spread on the pavement, somewhat concealed so to speak (we are still unaware of the identity of the good-doer), and the kitties had to eat directly off the floor, the phenimenon has now reached a whole new level of sophistication. Yes, that’s right, the food is now served on plates – and a couple of days ago there were even some pieces of ham! And the plate is no longer a small plate – now the serving comes in larger portions in huge plates. The invitation is so generous that the menagerie came running in crowds. Who knows, sooner than later we’re going to catch them eating their meals using cutlery.

The case is a serious one: the animals are not just at the building’s entrance now, that’s what they say.

Let us only hope that the neighbour’s dog, a notorious car destroyer, doesn’t make himself at home and bring all his friends, thus joining the seagulls that have been seen over the last weeks landing at the same parking site. What’s next? Here’s a glimpse of INESC TEC likely open space in the near future:

Photo (poultry house): National Geographic