Many mysterious animals are reported by witnesses every year, all over the world.
Cryptozoologists are the researchers who head the international study of these mysterious and unusual creatures. Famous examples include Bigfoot and Nessie, and there are other lesser known creatures like the Mongolian death worm. These researchers believe there could be hundreds of undiscovered species in our world.
Chupacabras
Mysterious animal deaths sparked mass hysteria on the small island of Puerto Rico. In 1992, Puerto Rican newspapers reported a series of strange killings of a variety of animals, including birds, horses and especially goats. The killings occurred around the village of Moca, and the local people believed a mythical creature called El Vampiro de Moca was responsible.
Over a period of six months the slaughter became more widespread, causing mass panic and hysteria. Researchers coined the term chupacabra, meaning "goatsucker" in Spanish. The name related to the puncture wounds and lack of blood found on the victims. The reports of chupacabra activity then began to spread to the Americas, and for the last decade, sightings have been reported as far north as the Carolinas and as far south as Chile.
The chupacabra grew from a village vampire to an international phenomenon. El Chupacabra became a merchandising dream with T-shirts, toys and even a song being produced. By the end of the 1990s the hysteria died away and less sightings were reported.
Unexplained animal killings still continue in Puerto Rico and the locals are left with a real mystery to whom or what is killing their animals.
Next: Mongolian Death Worm
