A story published on Louisiana Sportsman about a decade agocaused quite a stir within the wildlife community. It described both “chupacabra” sightings and that of what some described as hyenas.
The article, accompanied by an unusual game camera photograph, details a series of strange sightings reported across the state—encounters that some readers have linked to the legendary “chupacabra.”
For those unfamiliar with the term, “chupacabra,” which translates to “goat sucker,” refers to an alleged but scientifically unverified creature said to drain the blood from goats and other animals. Reports of the creature have circulated for decades, particularly in the southern United States and parts of Latin America.
Check out my lengthy assessment of alleged chupacabras.
While the photograph featured in the story does appear unusual at first glance, the article itself explains that the animal is not a mythical creature but a coyote suffering from mange. When animals lose their hair due to disease, their appearance can become dramatically altered. Over the years, I have seen numerous photographs of coyotes and foxes with mange that were incorrectly identified as chupacabras.
Although I have a lifelong interest in mysterious wildlife and believe that some unexplained creatures reported over the centuries may eventually be verified by science, I do not believe the chupacabra is one of them. Reports of chupacabra sightings only began appearing in the 1990s. By contrast, creatures such as sea serpents have been reported for centuries. Any animal allegedly as widespread as the chupacabra—from Puerto Rico to Texas—would have a much longer and more consistent history of sightings, even if known by different names.
Mangy canines are something most people rarely see, but that is changing. With game cameras now set across the landscape and the widespread use of cell phone cameras, more of these animals are being documented than ever before. As a result, images of mangy coyotes and foxes often generate media attention and public speculation.
Since the Louisiana Sportsman story appeared, I have read several interesting online comments. One hunter claimed that on two occasions he had seen animals resembling hyenas in East Texas. That immediately caught my attention, as someone once told me they had seen two “hyenas” in the Hill Country several years ago.
The usual explanation for such sightings is escaped exotic pets, but in reality, hyenas are not kept as private pets. While they exist in zoos, those facilities are well maintained, and the likelihood of multiple escapes occurring across different regions over several years is extremely low.
At a distance, a mangy coyote can indeed resemble a hyena. Though smaller in size, the posture, coloration, and lack of fur can create that illusion, especially in low light or brief encounters.
However, there are now captive hyenas in private hands at several locations in Texas. A viewer of my YouTube channel claims to have seen one road-killed in the same area he saw a road-killed warthog.
Could there be a few hyenas running around out there? It’s possible.
People who spend significant time outdoors occasionally experience strange or confusing encounters. With modern technology, those experiences are now shared widely and instantly, often fueling speculation before scientific explanations are considered.
One of the things I enjoy most about spending time in the woods is wondering what might exist just beyond the treeline.
The day I stop being intrigued by the mysteries of nature will be the day I find another pursuit in life. Fortunately, that day does not appear to be coming anytime soon. There is always something unusual, strange, or mysterious left to investigate—and perhaps even encounter.
Chester Moore
Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms
To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.
Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors podcast on all major podcasting platforms.
Higher Calling Wildlife on Facebook
Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.
