Newsletter - Jan 5, 1998

Goat Sucker Craze!

BOGUS UFO GROUPS EXPLOIT PUERTO RICO "GOAT-SUCKER" CRAZE

[Dec 11, 1995] -- Jorge Martin, Puerto Rico's best known UFO researcher, says that stories of a mysterious creature locally known as El Chupacabras, "the goat sucker," are being exploited by newly formed UFO groups. These groups, one called "Nova" and another simply "UFO," are spreading rank disinformation, Martin claims. They say that the "goat sucker" is a sign of the end-time, heralding doom, and will soon turn from slaying domestic animals to attacking people. They claim possession of secret government documents that prove the "goat sucker" is an extraterrestrial monster. Martin says that members of these groups all dress in black and are stirring new waves of terror among an already frenzied public. He said the groups arose out of nowhere in the last few months and show no sign of doing any genuine UFO research. Their only activity, he says, seems aimed at fueling the public uproar over the goat sucker. The goat sucker itself, Martin says, is all too real. In a long phone interview with this reporter on December 3, Martin gave many details of the strange creature and its year-long rampage of animal kills all over the island. Since last December, when the first reports came in, Martin says the goat sucker is thought responsible for over 1,000 killings of goats, sheep, cattle, chickens and other animals. Though there is no known case of an attack on a human, there are many reports of close encounters and many eyewitness accounts, which describe a creature unlike any known to science.

Martin faxed this reporter a drawing, made by himself from numerous eyewitness descriptions. (Martin himself has not seen the creature and says no photos have been taken.) From the drawing and Martin's explanation, a truly bizarre picture emerges.

The "goat sucker" -- a name concocted by derisive local news reporters when the creature first came to light -- is generally said to be 4 to 5 feet tall and walks upright. It is not humanoid. Its face is somewhat like a baboon, although it has extremely large, almond shaped eyes. Its body is somewhat like a kangaroo -- especially the powerful legs. It has three long claws on each hand and foot. It is hairy but also seems able to change color, from dark brown or black at night to green or brownish green during the day. It has four very long fangs that protrude from the mouth, two upward and two downward, not in front but somewhat spread apart. But the two oddest features of this animal are a set of fleshy triangular appendages running from its head down the spine; and folds of skin between the arms and torso which apparently allow it to glide like a flying squirrel. It has been seen to make huge leaps with its powerful legs, and is seen perched in trees as well as on the ground.

Jorge Martin believes there might be two or more related kinds of these creatures, since not all reports are identical. Occasionally, a witness says the creature is much larger, up to seven feet tall. Occasionally, the creature is said to have feathers. Usually, the creature is said to have red eyes, but occasionally the eyes are reported as blue.

Whether there are several different types is debatable, but Martin is sure there are at least several specimens loose on the island. In some instances, he says, two or three have been sighted together. Martin also believes that two specimens were captured or killed by authorities, then immediately taken off the island. There is no direct evidence of this, however.

Nor is it clear whether the creatures are related in any way to UFOs. Puerto Rico has long been a hot-bed of UFO activity, but only a few of the many goat sucker reports include mention of a UFO. Martin says he knows of two instances where the creatures were seen going into a UFO.

But the physical description of the creatures bears no resemblance to any "alien" ever reported; nor do the creatures appear intelligent in the human sense; nor do the creature attacks seem much like the better known surgical mutilations of cattle, also seen occasionally on Puerto Rico (as well as all over the United States) and often linked to UFO activity. In short, there is no compelling reason, as yet, to link the goat sucker to UFOs.

While the Puerto Rican press has been reporting new encounters with the goat sucker almost daily, the government of Puerto Rico seems intent on ignoring the situation. Martin said the top police official on the island issued an order to all police personnel to ignore complaints about the goat sucker unless a person is attacked. Nonetheless, Martin said he knows of at least one instance where a policeman fired his 357 magnum revolver at a creature from less than ten feet away, but to no effect. Meanwhile, the public uproar is so great that many night workers are refusing to report to work, fearing to be caught by the goat sucker after dark.

In the town of Canovanas, where the goat sucker is often seen, Mayor Jose Soto has enlisted the help of local civil defense workers and ordinary citizens to search the woods for the creature. Soto has been quoted as saying the situation is very serious, and he fears it is only a matter of time before humans are attacked. Though his political opponents say he is stirring unnecessary fears, his active response to the goat sucker is strongly supported by the local citizens.

But Jorge Martin says the situation is gravely compromised by apparent government indifference, exploitative "UFO groups," and most recently, by the arrival of a film crew from the U.S. television program "Inside Edition." The crew interviewed Martin and several witnesses on Friday, December 1, and left no doubt that they planned to ridicule the entire situation. Martin was infuriated. The "Inside Edition" story -- probably the first television coverage in the U.S. on this bizarre subject -- aired on Friday, December 8 and was derisive and dismissive, as Martin had feared.

CNI News will continue to update this story as new information is received.

Original file name: .CNI - Goat Sucker update 12.11

Chupacabras Update

by Scott Corrales < Lornis@aol.com >

Note: Scott's latest book, "Chupacabras and other Mysteries," Greenleaf Publications, ISBN 1-883729-06-8, Introduction by Marc Davenport, can be acquired by calling by calling the Publisher at 1 800 905-8367

November 11, 1997

After a prolonged absence during which it was missed by no one (except for the Gargoyle-worshiping cult which frequents the Cabo Rojo lighthouse), the Chupacabras left its calling card yesterday morning at the "Granja Marina" farm in the municipality of Lo-za Aldea's Barrio San Isidro. According to police reports, the alleged slayer killed two goats, bled dry another four and even managed to steal a young kid.

Police colonel Carmelo Correa, who acceded to talk to reporter Tom s de Jess Mangual of the EL VOCERO tabloid, stated that the Goatsucker's repeat performance would have taken place around two'o clock in the morning on Monday. When Jess Betato, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic who works as the farm's steward, heard what he described as a "flutter of wings" at that time of night, he claims he saw three horses and fifty-eight cows who were in a fenced are "run as if the devil were in pursuit." It was then that the cries of the goats could be heard in the tropical darkness.

Betato headed straight for the goat pens accompanied by his dog.

We can imagine his bemusement when the dog -- a Dalmatian -- made a sudden "about face" and broke into a furious run in the opposite direction, tail between its legs. Taking a clue from the animal's behavior, Betato prudently returned to the farmhouse and waited for daybreak before returning to the site.

In the dawn's early light, Betato was faced by the dead and wounded goats, discovering that two of the animals had deep "puncture marks" on the right side of their throats.

"Granja Marina" is the property of Loizan landowner Carlos Ortiz, who requested that the police and related agencies redouble their efforts in finding the ever-elusive culprit. Ortiz knows, perhaps better than most people, what the Chupacabras can do: he lost thirty ducks to the unknown predator back in 1995.

November 17, 1997

The Chupacabras has developed a taste for "the other white meat"-- pork.

According to a report by Police colonel Mariano Aponte, police chief of the Arecibo, P.R. area, thirty four hogs were found dead with strange puncture marks on their necks through which blood was extracted. The pigs were being raised by the inmates of the Sabana Hoyos penal camp, who had planned to eat them for Christmas. The Chupacabras had other plans.

Jesus Rodr-guez Rosario, an officer with the Department of Corrections, reported to work at 7:00 a.m. as was his custom and came across the 34 slain animals.

Police reports indicated that the Department of Natural Resources, which had been active during the Chupacabras' original outbreak two years ago, had been called in on the investigation to contribute its expertise.

Perhaps the saddest cut of all --no pun intended-- was that inmates were forced to bury the bloodless carcasses of what would otherwise have become a fine holiday feast. Talk about dashed hopes...

November 24, 1997

News of the Chupacabras's disappearance cast a pall over the moods of small landowners and farmers, who had been looking forward to a peaceful beginning to the holiday season. Rather than sitting back and enjoying the fruits of their labor, it was now time to return to the state of alert which had frayed their nerves two years ago.

One farmer, Roberto Rivera Garc-a, told newspapers: "Those of us who believed that the murderer of our animals, the Goatsucker, had disappeared for good and were therefore more at ease, have been fooled -- he only took a protracted vacation." News of the loss a herd of pigs at Arecibo's Sabana Hoyos prison camp spread like wildfire across the island, rekindling the old fears.

Mayor Jos "Chemo" Soto Has a Role in Clint Eastwood's Chupacabras Movie by Mabel M. Figueroa -- Primera Hora

Wednesday, November 19, 1997

IT WILL NO LONGER BE "Live from Hollywood"; From now on, it'll be "Live from Canvanas": it turns out that a group of eight investors from the United States, including renowned actor Clint Eastwood, have already purchased 160 acres in the municipality of Canvanas for the construction of a film school.

According to Canvanas mayor Jos "Chemo" Soto, investors were attracted to Puerto Rico by a producer interested in making a movie on the strange "Chupacabras" creature that decimated hundreds of animals a year ago and has returned to the scene only weeks ago.

Soto explained that the film school shall be near a shopping center whose construction is planned on State Highway #3 starting in January. It will be a unique project in the Caribbean, boasting 119 stores and a four-star hotel.

"It's an entire package -- recording, cinematography, moviemaking, the whole works. They already have a model and have submitted the plans for approval. Not only are they bringing the film school, but are also making arrangements to purchase other properties and build some mansions to develop an exclusive area," observed Soto.

How's filming of the Chupacabras movie going?

"It's already underway, and I have a role in the movie."

Are you playing the Chupacabras' co-star?

"No."

What role are you playing in the film?

"I'm playing the role of "Chemo," mayor of Canvanas, who became interested in a problem affecting his municipality." Do you have a script? "Yes, I already have it. It's in my office (town hall) and its huge." Do you like being a Hollywood actor? "I'll tell you. I've been an actor all my life. That area has always been of interest to me and I have the talent for being an actor. It's not that I'm burning to be an actor, either."

Will your role be a prominent one? In other words, will you have a lot of screen time?

"You can currently see a number of documentaries in which I've played a of screen time?

"You can currently see a number of documentaries in which I've played a part and you can see how I'm portrayed in a number of occasions."

Does it bother you to be known as "Chemo Jones"?

"No, not at all. Sometimes they'll call me "Chemo Jones", sometimes they'll call me "Chupacabras". It's all in a day's work."

Do you have anything to thank the Chupacabras for?

"Nothing at all."

Not even the celebrity you've gotten in Canovanas and the fact that you are now a Hollywood actor?

"I didn't get this celebrity through the Chupacabras, only because the event happened, thank God (the Chupacabras phenomenon). The Chupacabras exists and I treat the matter seriously from the moment that the creature started killing animals in Canovanas, and it was possible that it might end up killing a person. They said on radio that I was going to build a monument to the Chupacabras, but that's not true. What I did say is that a study should be made to find out what was going on."

Have you ever had nightmares about the Chupacabras?

"Never."

Have you ever had good dreams about the Chupacabras?

"Neither."

Would you like to meet the Chupacabras?

"That I would like to do. To see it or to be present if we ever manage to capture it."

Why?

"Because it's like a mystery."

Is it a dream or goal in your life?

"No."

Is it an obsession, perhaps?

"Neither. I'm telling you -- it's like a veil of mystery that fell upon our people. Whatever it is, whether animal or extraterrestrial, it created a such level of hysteria in my town that people took notice, and the panic among the population caused the subject to become part of my mayoral agenda.

Do you care what people think about you regarding this matter?

"The people in my community are clear about it. Those who have suffered the loss of their animals and who have seen the Chupacabras know that it's

"The people in my community are clear about it. Those who have suffered the loss of their animals and who have seen the Chupacabras know that it's real."

But aren't you upset by the taunts of others?

"No, that's how it's always going to be. People lack an awareness of the matter; they will always laugh. But if they took it upon themselves to interview those who have suffered, lost animals or seen the Chupacabras, they would be shaken out of their "mental innocence."?

Lizard Men

One of the most bizarre creatures reported in recent times is undoubtedly a nightmarish entity from South Carolina, which has been aptly nicknamed Lizard Man. According to eyewitnesses, it walks on its hind legs, stands just over 7 feet tall, and has glowing red eyes and green scaly skin. It has only three toes on each foot and three fingers on each hand, but every toe and every finger has a 4-inch long black claw at its tip.

Lizard Man first made its presence felt at around 2 A.M. on June 29, 1988. This was when 17-year-old Christopher Davis was changing a flat tire on his car near Scape Ore Swamp, which is just outside the backwater village of Bishopville in South Carolina's Lee County.

Chris was placing the jack into his car boot when he spied something very large running on its hind legs towards him, across a field close by. As it drew near, Chris jumped inside his car and tried to slam the door shut, but the horrifying reptile-man seized it from the other side, gripping the mirror as it attempted to wrench the door open! And when Chris tried to escape by accelerating hard, his scaly attacker jumped on to the car's roof! Luckily, it soon fell off as the vehicle sped away. When Chris arrived home he was trembling with fear, the roof of his car bore a series of long scratches and the wing mirror was severely twisted.

The massive media publicity generated by this incident led to many other Lizard Man reports emerging during the summer of 1988, but the same could not be said for Lizard Man itself, who eventually disappeared without ever having been satisfactorily explained.

Interestingly, this bizarre episode is far from being unique. Long before Chris Davis's frightening experience, many other parts of North America had also hosted encounters with reptilian man-monsters, astonishingly similar in appearance to the amphibious "gillman" starring in Hollywood's classic Creature from the Black Lagoon movie.

On August 19, 1972, for example, Robin Flewellyn and Gordon Pike were allegedly chased away from the beach around Thetis Lake in British Columbia, Canada, by a 5 foot tall bipedal monster with six sharp points on its head, which had unexpectedly surfaced in the lake.

Four days later, at around 3:30 P.M. on August 23, Russell Van Nice and Michael Gold could only watch in amazement when what was presumably the same creature suddenly stepped out of the lake, looked around and then walked back into the water, disappearing from sight. According to their description, it was humanoid in shape, but with scaly silver skin, huge ears, the face of a monster and a pointed projection on its head.

In 1977, a State Conservation naturalist called Alfred Hulstruck claimed that a scale-covered man-beast regularly emerged at dusk from the red algae-choked waters of Southern Tier in New York State [ Southern Tier ]. Five years earlier, in March 1972, two policemen saw a frogfaced humanoid creature, about the size of a dog, plunge into Little Miami River near Loveland, Ohio. In this same area, back in 1955, a respectable businessman claimed that he had seen a quartet of 3 foot tall, frog-faced creatures squatting under a bridge like fairytale trolls.

Another longstanding tradition of scaly humanoids features the fish-men of Inzignanin, near Chicora- an area sandwiched between North and South Carolina. These beings were said to be covered with scales and had webbed hands. Most distinctive of all, however, were their tails, which were as thick as a man's arm, about 18 inches long and relatively inflexible, like those of crocodiles or alligators. According to local lore, they lived only on raw fish and therefore soon died out when the area's fish supplies became exhausted.

Equally strange was the 6 foot tall, fluorescent-eye monster that clawed Charles Wetzel's car on the evening of November 8, 1958 as he drove by the Santa Ana River near Riverside, California. Although often placed in the bigfoot category of mystery beasts, it was much more akin to the reptilian monsters, as noted by the writer Loren Coleman, because it was covered in leaf-like scales and had a protrusible beak-like mouth.

Needless to say, no real-life creatures of the "Black Lagoon" variety have ever been proven by science to exist on earth, either during the present or the past. Yet, if the course of evolution had taken a different turn, our planet may indeed have been home to life forms of this type. In 1982, the scientific journal Syllogeus published a very unusual but highly original paper by two well-respected Canadian paleontologists, Dr. Dale A. Russell and Dr. R. Seguin from the National Museum of Natural Sciences in Ottawa. Its subject was the fascinating possibility that, if the dinosaurs had never died out, they would have eventually given rise to a dinosaurian counterpart of human beings.

In their paper, Russell and Seguin speculated about the likely appearance of such a creature and suggested that it would have stood upright on its hind legs, with three fingers on each hand. They even constructed a model of this `dinosaur man' and what is so amazing about it is that in overall appearance it is remarkably similar to the descriptions of Lizard Man and other reptilian man-beasts reported from modern-day North America!

Research Topic: Mothman