Goat Sucker for blood!

Chupacabra

Chupacabra (also chupacabras /tʃupa’kabɾas/, from Spanish chupar: to suck, cabra: goat; goat sucker) is a cryptid said to inhabit parts of the Americas. It is associated more recently with sightings of an allegedly unknown animal in Puerto Rico (where these sightings were first reported), Mexico, and the United States, especially in the latter’s Latin American communities.^[1] The name comes from the animal’s reported habit of attacking and drinking the blood of livestock, especially goats. Physical descriptions of the creature vary. Eyewitness sightings have been claimed as early as 1990 in Puerto Rico, and have since been reported as far north as Maine, and as far south as Chile. It is supposedly a heavy creature, the size of a small bear, with a row of spines reaching from the neck to the base of the tail. Most biologists and wildlife management officials view the chupacabra as an urban legend.^[2]

The first purported attacks occurred in March of 1995 in Puerto Rico.^[3] In this attack eight sheep were discovered dead, each with three puncture wounds in the chest area and were completely drained of blood.^[3] In 1975, similar killings in the small town of Moca, were attributed to El Vampiro de Moca (The Vampire of Moca).^[4] Initially it was suspected that the killings were done by members of a Satanic cult; later more killings were reported around the island, and many farms reported loss of animal life. Each of the animals had their bodies bled dry through a series of small circular incisions.

Puerto Rican comedian and entrepreneur Silverio Pérez is credited with coining the term “chupacabras” soon after the first incidents were reported in the press.^[5] Shortly after the deaths in Puerto Rico, other animal deaths were reported in other countries, such as the Dominican Republic, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Brazil, the United States and Mexico.^[3]

In July 2004, a rancher near San Antonio killed a hairless dog-like creature, which was attacking his livestock.^[6] This animal, initially given the name the Elmendorf Beast, was later determined by DNA assay conducted at UC Davis to be a coyote with demodectic or sarcoptic mange. In October 2004, two more carcasses were found in the same area. Biologists in Texas, examined samples from the two carcasses and determined they were also coyotes suffering from very severe cases of mange.^[7] In Coleman, Texas, a farmer named Reggie Lagow caught an animal in a trap he set up after the deaths of a number of his chickens and turkeys. The animal was described as resembling a mix of hairless dog, rat and kangaroo. Lagow provided the animal to Texas Parks and Wildlife officials for identification, but Lagow reported in a September 17, 2006 phone interview with John Adolfi, founder of the Lost World Museum, that the “critter was caught on a Tuesday and thrown out in Thursday’s trash.”^[8]

In April 2006, MosNews reported that the chupacabra was spotted in Russia for the first time. Reports from Central Russia beginning in March 2005 tell of a beast that kills animals and sucks out their blood. Thirty-two turkeys were killed and drained overnight. Reports later came from neighboring villages when 30 sheep were killed and had their blood drained. Finally eyewitnesses were able to describe the chupacabra. In May of 2006, experts were determined to track the animal down.^[9]

In mid-August 2006, Michelle O’Donnell of Turner, Maine, described an “evil looking” rodent-like animal with fangs that had been found dead alongside a road. The animal was apparently struck by a car, and was unidentifiable. Photographs were taken and witness reports seem to be in relative agreement that the creature was canine in appearance, but in widely published photos seemed unlike any dog or wolf in the area. Photos from other angles seem to show a chow- or akita-mixed breed dog. It was reported that “the carcass was picked clean by vultures before experts could examine it”. For years, residents of Maine have reported a mysterious creature and a string of dog maulings.^[10]

In May 2007, a series of reports on national Colombia news reported more than 300 dead sheep in the region of Boyaca, and the capture of a possible specimen to be analysed by zoologists at Universidad Nacional of Colombia.^[11]

In August 2007, Phylis Canion found three animals in Cuero, Texas. She and her neighbors purported to have discovered three strange animal carcasses outside Canion’s property. She took photographs of the carcasses and preserved the head of one in her freezer before turning it over for DNA analysis.^[12] Canion reported that nearly 30 chickens on her farm had been exsanguinated over a period of years, a factor which led her to connect the carcasses with the chupacabra legend. State Mammologist John Young estimated that the animal in Canion’s pictures was a grey fox suffering from an extreme case of mange. In November 2007, biology researchers at Texas State University-San Marcos determined from DNA samples that the suspicious animal was merely a coyote.^[13]

The most common description of Chupacabra is a reptile-like being, appearing to have leathery or scaly greenish-gray skin and sharp spines or quills running down its back.^[14] This form stands approximately 3 to 4 feet (1 to 1.2 m) high, and stands and hops in a similar fashion to a kangaroo.^[15] In at least one sighting, the creature hopped 20 feet (6 m). This variety is said to have a dog or panther-like nose and face, a forked tongue protruding from it, large fangs, and to hiss and screech when alarmed, as well as leave a sulfuric stench behind.^[15] When it screeches, some reports note that the chupacabra’s eyes glow an unusual red, that gives the witnesses nausea. For some witnesses, it was seen with bat-like wings.^[16]

Another description of Chupacabra, although not as common, is described as a strange breed of wild dog.^[15] This form is mostly hairless, has a pronounced spinal ridge, unusually pronounced eye sockets, fangs, and claws. It is claimed that this breed might be an example of a dog-like reptile. The corpse of an animal found in León, Nicaragua, and forensically analyzed at UNAN-Leon is claimed as a specimen of this genus. Pathologists at the University found that it was an unusual looking dog-like creature of a unknown species.^[17] Unlike conventional predators, the chupacabra is said to drain all of the animal’s blood (and sometimes organs) through a single hole or two holes.^[18]

The popularity of the chupacabras has resulted in it being featured in several types of merchandise. Some mystery novels that use aspects of the myth as the centerpoint of the plot have been published.^[19] Other kinds of book include those that provide a scientific explanation for the phenomena and fairy tales.^[20][21] The Chupacabras has also been featured in films such as Scooby-Doo and the Monster of Mexico and in independent productions including “El Chupacabras” and” Vuelve el Chupacabras”. The Chupacabras has been featured in television programs including The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, The X-files and The Venture Bros; it was also mentioned in Will and Grace. Chupathingy was also suggested by Sarge as a name for the Warthog in Red vs. Blue episode 2, parodying Grif’s supposedly wanting to name it after mythical creatures. Ed Lavandera reporter of CNN, has described the Chupacabras as the “Bigfoot of Latino Culture” and has stated that “El Chupacabras also symbolizes the fear of something that doesn’t exist”.^[1] Following the incident in Cuero, Texas the popularity of the Chupacabras myth was receiving global attention.^[22] Phylis Clayton who was responsible for capturing the alleged specimen claimed that t-shirts highlighting the event were shipped to countries such as Italy, Guam and Iraq . The publicity that Cuero received following this event has led to some suggesting changing the town’s mascot.^[22]

• Fauna of Puerto Rico
• Cryptozoology

1. ^ ^{a b} Illegal Immigrants Frightened by Raid Rumors; George Bush: “The Decider”; “Happy Slapping”. CNN (2006-05-02). Retrieved on 2007-10-05.
2. ^ Miried Gonzalez Rodriguez. Dizfrazado el chupacabras (in Spanish). Puerto Rico: Primera Hora.Check 1cate
3. ^ ^{a b c} Stephen Wagner. On the trail of the Chupacabras. Retrieved on 2007-10-05.
4. ^ Stephen Wagner. Encounters with Chupacabras. Retrieved on 2007-10-05.
5. ^ Chupacabras Bio. Retrieved on 2007-05-10.
6. ^ Walker Robinson (2004-08-03). Chupacabra? Strange Animal Found in Elmendorf. WOAI. Retrieved on 2007-10-05.
7. ^ Texas’ Blood-Sucking Monster. Retrieved on 2007-06-12.
8. ^ “Texas Farmer Claims He Caught Legendary ‘Chupacabra’“, KNBC Los Angeles, 2005-08-25.Check 1cate
9. ^ “Chupacabra the Goatsucker Vampire Sightings Reported in Central Russia“, MosNews, 2006-04-17.Check 1cate
10. ^ “‘Hybrid Mutant’ Found Dead in Maine“, Associated Press, 2006-08-16.Check 1cate
11. ^ “Bestia’ chupasangre asusta a los campesinos de Chiscas: ha matado 310 animales’“, El Tiempo, 2007-05-02.Check 1cate
12. ^ “Has a mythical beast turned up in Texas?“, 2007-08-31.Check 1cate
13. ^ “‘Texas State researchers solve mystery of Cuero chupacabra’“, Texas State University News Service, 2007-11-01.Check 1cate
14. ^ Chupacabras Biography. Retrieved on 2007-05-10.
15. ^ ^{a b c} Stephen Wagner. The Top 10 Most Mysterious Creatures of Modern Times. Retrieved on 2007-10-05.
16. ^ Chupacabras=Giant Bat?. Retrieved on 2007-05-10.
17. ^ Chupacabras Remains Found. Retrieved on 2007-06-20.
18. ^ Tomás De Jesús Mangual (2006-01-09). Imputan otro ataque al Chupacabras. El Vocero. Retrieved on 2007-10-05.
19. ^ Wagner, Lloyd. El Chupacabras: Trail of the Goatsucker. ISBN 059533315X
20. ^ Corrales, Scott. Chupacabras: And Other Mysteries. ISBN 1883729068
21. ^ Authors, Mandy, and Clifton C. Phillips. Chupacabra, You Don’t Scare Me! ISBN 0805944907
22. ^ ^{a b} Chupacabra craze goes global. KVUE (2007-08-28). Retrieved on 2007-10-05.

• Alleged video footage of a Chupacabra
• Cryptozoology - Skeptic World
• Alleged photographic evidence of a Chupacabra
• News report and photo of alleged Chupacabra
• Alleged chupacabra likely a “Xolo dog”; story a hoax

The chupacabra (”goat sucker”) is an animal said to be unknown to science and systemically killing animals in places like Puerto Rico, Miami, Nicaragua, Chile, and Mexico. The creature’s name originated with the discovery of some dead goats in Puerto Rico with puncture wounds in their necks and their blood allegedly drained. According to UFO Magazine (March/April 1996) there have been more than 2,000 reported cases of animal mutilations in Puerto Rico attributed to the chupacabra.

Puerto Rican authorities maintain that the deaths are due to attacks from groups of stray dogs or other exotic animals, such as the panther, illegally introduced in the island’s territory. The director of Puerto Rico’s Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services Division, Hector Garcia, has stated that there is nothing unusual or extraordinary about the cases they’ve observed. One veterinarian said “it could be a human being who belongs to a religious sect, even another animal. It could also be someone who wants to make fun out of the Puerto Rican people.”

Like other creatures in the cryptozoologist’s barnyard, the chupacabra has been variously described. Some witnesses have seen a small half-alien, half-dinosaur tailless vampire with quills running down its back; others have seen a panther like creature with a long snake-like tongue; still others have seen a hopping animal that leaves a trail of sulfuric stench. Some think it may be a type of dinosaur heretofore unknown. Some are convinced that the wounds on animals whose deaths have been attributed to the chupacabra indicate an alien presence. However, they do not attribute the “mutilations” to the aliens themselves, but to one of their pets or experiments gone awry. Such creatures are known as Anomalous Biological Entities [ABEs] in UFO circles.

Those who think the chupacabra is an ABE also believe that there is a massive government and mass media conspiracy to keep the truth hidden from the people, probably to prevent panic. This view is maintained despite the fact that the President of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives Agricultural Commission, Mr. Juan E. [Kike] Lopez, introduced a resolution asking for an official investigation to clarify the situation. Inside Edition sent a crew to Puerto Rico to investigate the ABE story. They allegedly ridiculed the Mayor of Canavanas, a witness to the chupacabra, and basically made fun of the whole idea.

Jorge Martin, a Puerto Rican journalist who describes himself as a “leading UFO researcher,” reports that it has been brought to his attention that the U.S. and Puerto Rican governments have captured two of the creatures. Perhaps there will soon be a film on the ABE autopsy to rival the discredited alien autopsy film. Martin cautions us not to exclude other reasonable possibilities.

The ABEs can also be the product of highly sophisticated genetic manipulations by human agencies. A Chinese-Russian scientist by the name of Dr. Tsian Kanchen, has produced genetic manipulations which have created new species of electronically-crossed plant and animal organisms. Kanchen developed an electronic system whereby he can pick up the bioenergetic field of the DNA of living organisms and transfer it electronically to other living organisms. By these means he has created incredible new breeds of ducks/chickens, with physical characteristics of both species; goats/rabbits, and new breeds of plants such as corn/wheat, peanut/sunflower seeds and cucumber/watermelons. These are produced by linking the genetic data of different living organisms contained in their bioenergetic fields by means of ultra-high frequencies biological linking. If the Russians have created this technology, then without doubt the US and other powers have too. Therefore, it is quite possible that the “Chupacabras” or ABEs could have been developed by humans. [Martin]

Martin goes on to report that a chupacabra has been killed and blood tests have been done on the creature.

The genetic analysis so far has revealed that the blood is in no way compatible with human blood nor with any animal species known to science. The traces ratio of magnesium, phosphorous, calcium and potassium are incompatible with those of normal human blood, they are much too high. The albumen/glouline [RG ratio] was also incompatible. The ratios found do not allow the results of the analysis to be compatible with those of any known animal species.

At present, we can’t place the sample with any earthly organism. Therefore it could well be the product of a highly sophisticated genetic manipulation, an organism alien to our own environment or perhaps extraterrestrial. [Martin]

I suppose Martin’s work is what passes for responsible journalism on some planets in the universe. On the other hand, the sightings may not be all that accurate, the “mutilations” not all that strange, and the evidence for these bodies, autopsies and blood tests remains little more than speculation for the most part. However, one alleged chupacabra was killed in Nicaragua and was examined by scientists at the Autonomous National University of Nicaragua. When the scientists revealed that the carcass was that of a common dog, they were met with skepticism and derision. Nobody wants to read a story with the headline: Chupacabra turns out to be Chihuahua.