Mexico: Chupacabras in Puebla and Guanajuato?

Source: www.analuisacid.com and Argonmexico.com
Date: 20 August 2010
Reported by: Pedro Morales

Mexico: The Chupacabras in Puebla and Guanajuato

Over 300 goats decapitated.

Shepherds from various communities in Puebla State are frightened by the attacks to their herds. They suspect the presence of natural predator, a nahual (shapeshifter) or the Chupacabras. Authorities have combed the area.

Shepherds from Colonia San Martín, Los Reyes Metzontla and Cañada Ancha in Puebla State are frightened by the attacks on their flocks by either the Chupacabras, wild dogs or some other wild creature that they’ve been unable to hunt down, and which has caused the deaths of over 300 goats for some 50 days now.

Felix Martinez Hernández, president of Colonia San Martin, said that on August 14th at around 7:00 a.m., over 36 goats were found butchered in the Colonia San Martin strip, located 18 km south of the municipality. The presence of a predator, nahual or the Chupacabras is suspected.

People who live in the community explained that the phenomenon increased after the rains, and this led them to seek support from the authorities in dispelling the mystery, which has people frightened due to the cruel way in which the goats were dispatched.

Anacleto Enrique Montiel Barbosa spoke of his concerns, acknowledging his fear over what is occurring in Zapotitlán: In this community, in the southern reaches of the state, most families owning this sort of livestock have been affected.

According to Anacleto, he first heard gunshots originating on his terrain, where he kept over 120 goats in a pen, “supposedly secure”. Upon reaching the site, he saw his fellow shepherd, Alvaro Mendoza, firing a rifle against some “dogs” that were fleeing the area.

Other residents arrived to see what was going on. They found that over 36 animals had been beheaded in a strange way and furthermore, without a single drop of blood in evidence.

Local authorities under commander Leonardo García Sánchez combed the area in order to find the goat slayers, but only managed to catch two dogs. The locals killed the dogs, opened them up and found that they did not contain any traces of goat blood or flesh. This caused them to recall the legend of the nahual.

SAGARAPA Turns Decective

The Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fishing and Food (SAGARAPA, in Spanish) has not received any reports on the goat deaths. However, in coming days, the Animal Development and Health Committee may look into the matter.

The sudden appearance of these animals displaying signs of violence has given rise to speculation. In the next few days, experts may determine the cause of the deaths. They will look for substances in the flesh or the blood, says Ignacio Carrasco Sandoval, the federal regional district head: “While the agency only intervenes in cases involving death by illness, what the peasants have stated up to now [appears to involve] feline attacks. If so, the agency would have no further involvement as such.”

The Hunt Begins

Concern among the locals increased. Since Monday, bands of peasants were formed to monitor the communities.

Last weekend, a peasant reported the presence of some tigers, or something similar. He advised the authorities and the town to conduct watches during the night and the morning hours. Locals were also urged to look after their families, advising them to refrain from going outside after 8:00 p.m., when natural light fades in the rural areas. Local watches commenced in the rancherías of San Martin, Los Reyes Mazontla, La Meza and others. Their members state their unwillingness to lose more cattle, and are willing to face down the nahuales, or whatever is involved.

Animals of the Night

According to legend, the nahual changes its human form for a given time to acquire the form a chosen animal. The nahual can only transmogrify at night, attacking our children with infernal spells.

In the area of Los Tuxtlas there is a long-held belief in nahuales. It is said that some people can turn into birds and are endowed with the power of flight. The nahual can have several protecting spirits, much like North American natives. To this time, there is no scientific evidence of the existence of nahuales.

The Chupacabras in Puebla?

Felix Martínez Hernández reported that the attacks cause concern among locals by affecting their livelihood. He indicates that the affected shepherds are calling for an investigation to trap the animals that have caused the goats’ deaths, and that officialdom should compensate them for their losses. “There are no signs of robbery during the attacks, no cases involving revenge, and therefore that can be discarded. We want this to stop, because people don’t want any more losses.”

Moreover, Eliseo Barragán Guevara, who has suffered the loss of 62 goats, all with bites to the neck, explained: “They were killed at night, because I arrived in the morning and they were all scattered, with bite marks, and 10 goats had head injuries. It looks like dogs were involved, but not normal ones. Perhaps wild ones or something, because judging by the wounds inflicted, they had long fangs.”

Chupacabras in Guanajuato?

Cattle attacks were also reported in another Mexican state, this time in March 2010. In Yuriria, Guanajuato, shepherds discussed their experiences on television: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g3kwujzpFM

(Translation (c) 2010 S. Corrales, IHU. Special thanks to Prof. Ana Luisa Cid)