San Antonio rancher finds Chupacabra look-alike on his property
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While patrolling his ranch one night, a San Antonio man came across a creature he had never seen before stalking his herd. The man said he stared at the small, dark-colored predator, and the first thing he thought: “Chupacabra!”
While patrolling his ranch one night, a San Antonio man came across a creature he had never seen before stalking his herd. The man said he stared at the small, dark-colored predator, and the first thing he
Photo: Courtesy
While patrolling his ranch one night, a San Antonio man came across a creature he had never seen before stalking his herd. The man said he stared at the small, dark-colored predator, and the first thing he thought: “Chupacabra!”
While patrolling his ranch one night, a San Antonio man came across a creature he had never seen before stalking his herd. The man said he stared at the small, dark-colored predator, and the first thing he
Photo: Courtesy
While patrolling his ranch one night, a San Antonio man came across a creature he had never seen before stalking his herd. The man said he stared at the small, dark-colored predator, and the first thing he thought: “Chupacabra!”
The rancher said he hunted the creature for three days on his South Side property in an attempt to keep his livestock safe from the odd-looking animal. The man wished to remain anonymous so Chupacabra enthusiasts wouldn’t find his ranch in search of the urban legend.
“We have never seen such an animal on our property and were stunned,” the rancher said, adding that it resembled the description of the legendary and mythical Chupacabra known for sucking the blood out of livestock and goats.
While there are several theories about what the Chupacabra looks like, one suggests it is similar to a hairless canine, standing on four feet— similar to what the rancher finally killed to protect his herd.
READ ALSO: Urban legend or the real deal? San Antonio Zoo unveils new Chupacabra exhibit
After looking at photos of the catch, Rob Coke, director of veterinary care at the San Antonio Zoo, said it was a coyote suffering from mange.
Coke said the rancher found the “real world” Chupacabra usually seen in South Texas. The coyote had a mange infection — a disease passed through mites— that causes hair loss and darkened and dry or scaly skin.
The rancher admits as much. “This animal resembles a coyote but smaller and apparently has a skin condition in which it has lost its hair,” he said.
But that isn’t stopping the rancher from having a little fun with the urban legend.
The rancher said he saved the animal and is planning on getting it mounted by a taxidermist for his ranch to have its own Chupacabra.
Taylor Pettaway is a breaking news and general assignment reporter for MySA.com | [email protected] | @TaylorPettaway
