Baltimore Residents Alarmed by Outbreak of Purple Flying SquirrelsBaltimore Residents Alarmed by Outbreak of Purple Flying Squirrels Panic gripped the streets of Baltimore as residents witnessed an extraordinary phenomenon: flocks of purple flying squirrels soaring through the evening sky. The squirrels, adorned in an iridescent hue, were unlike anything Baltimore had ever seen before. Their ethereal glow illuminated the city’s landmarks, casting a surreal glow over the historic Johns Hopkins University and the iconic Inner Harbor. “I was out walking my dog when I looked up and saw this giant purple squirrel flying over my head,” said Cheryl Carter, a stunned resident. “I thought I was hallucinating.” As the sightings multiplied, social media erupted with images and videos of the curious creatures. The Baltimore Animal Control team was flooded with calls, but they had no explanation for the squirrels’ sudden transformation. Experts from the University of Maryland were baffled as well. Genetic analysis revealed no known mutations that could account for the squirrels’ unusual coloration. Rumors spread like wildfire. Some believed the squirrels were the result of a government experiment gone awry, while others whispered that they were an omen of impending doom. Amidst the confusion and fear, one theory emerged as the most plausible: a prank. A group of students from the Maryland Institute College of Art admitted to dyeing several squirrels with non-toxic food coloring as part of an art installation. Although the prank caused a temporary scare, it also brought a touch of levity to the situation. Residents couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of purple flying squirrels. As the squirrels gradually shed their artificial coloring, Baltimore returned to normalcy. But the memory of the purple flying squirrels would forever be etched in the city’s collective consciousness, a testament to the enduring power of both nature and the human imagination.