Saturday, October 09, 2010
DALE DRINNON: More On Ucumar
Back at the beginning of August, the fillowing news item was being circulated in some of the Yahoo cyptozoology groups:
http://www.theunexplainedmysteries.com/fanged-humanoid.html
Ranchers Capture "Fanged, Hairy Humanoid"
Source: El Tribuno (Salta, Argentina)
The legend of the Ucumar Zupai is reborn in a wilderness near El Creston, some 40 kilometers west of San Jose de Metan. Farm owner and nephew had gone out to round up the cows when the strange specimen appeared. Two ranchers in the vicinity of Cerro El Creston, some 40 kilometers west of San Jose de Metan, hunted down a strange creature of humanoid appearance, but with unusually large and sharp incisors.
The similarity between this specimen and local tales of the mythic "Ucumar" – the manlike figure covered in short black hair – has renewed the debate in Salta over the existence of the local "yeti". The presence of a creature having such characteristics has been news for decades in the forested areas to the south of the province, particularly in Rosario de la Frontera, where eyewitness accounts have been collected.
Photographs of the remains of the specimen gunned down in the cloud forest of Cerro El Creston were taken by Martin, a resident of Metan who did not wish to give his name, at the property belonging to the ranchers who shot it.
The photo – taken with a cell phone – clearly shows a hominid specimen with long fangs and protruding eyes.
The Story
The ranchers are an older man, 79, whose initials are J.S. and the other is his nephew, E.S. Both requested anonymity to ward off curiosity seekers.
Almost shyly, Martin told El Tribuno about his experience with the strange being during a visit to his friends the ranchers. "That Saturday I arrived and they told me what had occurred during the morning. I entered the home and there it was, hanging from its feet, its hands tied to one side and extending down to the floor."
Unhurriedly, he continued his story: "I asked him what it was, and they couldn’t answer. They only said that in the dark of night, they thought it might have been a puma or a goblin, because they only saw its enormous green eyes shining by light of the flashlights."
According to the young man, J.S. and E.S. had gone out on the evening of 23 July to round up cattle, as they were planning to brand the livestock on the following day. Amid the darkness, they heard a nearly deafening sound on the edge of one of the hills surrounding their property. They cast light upon the source of the noise with the flashlight, and found themselves staring at two enormous green eyes that nearly froze their hearts. "They told me they thought it was a goblin, and to scare it away, they fired a shot. They were unlucky enough to hit it in the head."
Apparently, the bullet entered through the lower left side of the jaw, exiting through the upper right eyebrow ridge. Due to this impact, the alleged "Ucumar" collapsed instantly. "The dogs that were with us, accustomed to finding wild pigs, ran toward the carcass, and when my friends chased them, they came across that thing."
The two gauchos carried the remains back to their ranch to analyze it at length. The next day, with sunlight, there was no doubt about it: they had shot an Ucumar, although to confirm this, it would be necessary to go into deeper study. For the time being, all we have are speculations and suspicions.
What can indeed be confirmed is that the veterinary specialists consulted by El Tribuno state that the specimen "hunted" by accident is not native to the region.
Carcass Hurled Down a Canyon
Martin continued to relate his experiences with the ranchers of Cerro El Crestón. He noted that "On Saturday morning, J.S. asked us to cut off his head and throw the body far away, as he did not wish to be the victim of any revenge."
The revenge that Martin referred to is that the being they had found was allegedly a "cub" of an Ucumar, which could take reprisals against him for having shot and killed its young.
The state that it was a "cub" due to the diameter of the specimen’s skull, which measured some 15 centimeters. They calculate the creature’s height at some 60 to 70 centimeters.
"Overall, the people who live in these parts believe greatly in these things: goblins, the Ucumar...matter of fact, I must admit I felt afraid. At one point I thought about bringing the body to Metán, but I got scared," said the fellow who spoke with El Tribuno.
Martin explained that "we cut off its head, which remained at the ranch. But we wrapped up the body in several bags and threw it down a canyon."
J.S. the owner of the ranch where the strange events transpired, lives alone in the area. His nearest neighbor is 15 kilometers away. The man is visited by his nephews every so often.
"It Had Fingers and Toes"
The witness who got to hold the body of the hunted hominid explained that "it was covered in short black hair all over its body, except for the face. It was impressive to see the size of its incisor." He added that the manlike figure had fingers and toes.
"The truth is that it was a one of a kind experience. I had never seen anything like it. When we go to the ranch at Cerro El Creston, we find hairs stuck to the tree trunks, as though "it" was scratching itself against them. There are many animals in the area, but none with fur resembling that of the creature they hunted," Martin explained.
"I Never Saw Anything Like It"
Marcelo Choque, a forensic veterinarian for the Provincial Police under the Environmental Division of the service, was startled to see the photographs of the strange specimen’s skull, shot by a rancher in the heights of Cerro El Creston in Metán. "I never saw anything like it. It’s clearly an anthropomorphic figure, but I can’t tell you the species. And I could much less explain the exaggerated size of its incisors, which give it a monstrous appearance."
The expert paused to think for a moment and continued. "There are no anthropoids in the are where they shot it. And the ones belonging to our fauna do not possess in any way the humanoid characteristics showing in the photo. If it is a monkey of some sort, it would be a rarity, an unclassified species or a genetic aberration. I’m stunned and I think it would be necessary to travel with a team of experts to the area where the skull is kept in order to conduct an analysis of the remains."
-And in reply I added the following in a couple of the groups I belonged to:
THAT is the head of a monkey, probably a howler monkey. The living specimen was only about two feet tall. BUT one description of the Ucumar says it is like an outsized, tailless howler monkey and that is the sort of report they are thinking about.
"Ucumar" is however not a precise name and it is used vaguely to refer to unknown bears, bearlike monkeys or apemen with equal force. I can see what the reports are driving at and I do think that the creature they are talking about would be like a large howler monkey. In this case, though, the heads and skulls the article is talking about are only ordinary, smaller monkeys. They are also not the young ones, they have the adult dentition.
The "Large Howler Monkey" is otherwise identified as the Mono Rey or Mapinguari in other areas, and is said to be the height of a short man but more heavily built. I imagine that means it is the size of a large chimpanzee or a small gorilla. That it has large tusks and it is suspected of killing livestock are also traits associated with the reports in these other categories.
Best Wishes, Dale D.
Subsequently I came across this sculpted head from the South American Chimu culture, which I take to be an "Ucu" if only because it has a bear's nose added onto it. It was labelled as a feline but not only is that not like a cat's nose, the ears are entirely humanoid. (shown on 'Imagen 28')
Among other featues on this sculpted Ucu, the cheek teeth are entirely flat and the jaws and teeth overall are ape-like, similar to an orangutan's. They are not cat-like, bear-like, nor do they even match a howler monkey's skull. The eye sockets are shown in the wrong place, but it is probably significant that the skull as illustrated in the sculpture even has eye sockets. Most carnivores do not even have that much.
So while the head as shown in the photographs is a false alarm, I think the mistake is made for something that is actually real and mysterious in South America and illustrated crudely by the sculpted Chimy head. It is an ape with big tusks jutting foreward like an orangutan's and it is called Ucu or Ucumar-Zupai, although also other things and also with the name Ucumar applied to different unrelated things such as bears. I definitely think it must be something that resembles an orangutan although its face may differ (that part is harder to say because the sculpted head is very likely to be somewhat stylized and inaccurate.) And it is known as far South as parts of Argentina, where it is also called a "Goblin"
Best Wishes, Dale D.
http://www.theunexplainedmysteries.com/fanged-humanoid.html
Ranchers Capture "Fanged, Hairy Humanoid"
Source: El Tribuno (Salta, Argentina)
The legend of the Ucumar Zupai is reborn in a wilderness near El Creston, some 40 kilometers west of San Jose de Metan. Farm owner and nephew had gone out to round up the cows when the strange specimen appeared. Two ranchers in the vicinity of Cerro El Creston, some 40 kilometers west of San Jose de Metan, hunted down a strange creature of humanoid appearance, but with unusually large and sharp incisors.
The similarity between this specimen and local tales of the mythic "Ucumar" – the manlike figure covered in short black hair – has renewed the debate in Salta over the existence of the local "yeti". The presence of a creature having such characteristics has been news for decades in the forested areas to the south of the province, particularly in Rosario de la Frontera, where eyewitness accounts have been collected.
Photographs of the remains of the specimen gunned down in the cloud forest of Cerro El Creston were taken by Martin, a resident of Metan who did not wish to give his name, at the property belonging to the ranchers who shot it.
The photo – taken with a cell phone – clearly shows a hominid specimen with long fangs and protruding eyes.
The Story
The ranchers are an older man, 79, whose initials are J.S. and the other is his nephew, E.S. Both requested anonymity to ward off curiosity seekers.
Almost shyly, Martin told El Tribuno about his experience with the strange being during a visit to his friends the ranchers. "That Saturday I arrived and they told me what had occurred during the morning. I entered the home and there it was, hanging from its feet, its hands tied to one side and extending down to the floor."
Unhurriedly, he continued his story: "I asked him what it was, and they couldn’t answer. They only said that in the dark of night, they thought it might have been a puma or a goblin, because they only saw its enormous green eyes shining by light of the flashlights."
According to the young man, J.S. and E.S. had gone out on the evening of 23 July to round up cattle, as they were planning to brand the livestock on the following day. Amid the darkness, they heard a nearly deafening sound on the edge of one of the hills surrounding their property. They cast light upon the source of the noise with the flashlight, and found themselves staring at two enormous green eyes that nearly froze their hearts. "They told me they thought it was a goblin, and to scare it away, they fired a shot. They were unlucky enough to hit it in the head."
Apparently, the bullet entered through the lower left side of the jaw, exiting through the upper right eyebrow ridge. Due to this impact, the alleged "Ucumar" collapsed instantly. "The dogs that were with us, accustomed to finding wild pigs, ran toward the carcass, and when my friends chased them, they came across that thing."
The two gauchos carried the remains back to their ranch to analyze it at length. The next day, with sunlight, there was no doubt about it: they had shot an Ucumar, although to confirm this, it would be necessary to go into deeper study. For the time being, all we have are speculations and suspicions.
What can indeed be confirmed is that the veterinary specialists consulted by El Tribuno state that the specimen "hunted" by accident is not native to the region.
Carcass Hurled Down a Canyon
Martin continued to relate his experiences with the ranchers of Cerro El Crestón. He noted that "On Saturday morning, J.S. asked us to cut off his head and throw the body far away, as he did not wish to be the victim of any revenge."
The revenge that Martin referred to is that the being they had found was allegedly a "cub" of an Ucumar, which could take reprisals against him for having shot and killed its young.
The state that it was a "cub" due to the diameter of the specimen’s skull, which measured some 15 centimeters. They calculate the creature’s height at some 60 to 70 centimeters.
"Overall, the people who live in these parts believe greatly in these things: goblins, the Ucumar...matter of fact, I must admit I felt afraid. At one point I thought about bringing the body to Metán, but I got scared," said the fellow who spoke with El Tribuno.
Martin explained that "we cut off its head, which remained at the ranch. But we wrapped up the body in several bags and threw it down a canyon."
J.S. the owner of the ranch where the strange events transpired, lives alone in the area. His nearest neighbor is 15 kilometers away. The man is visited by his nephews every so often.
"It Had Fingers and Toes"
The witness who got to hold the body of the hunted hominid explained that "it was covered in short black hair all over its body, except for the face. It was impressive to see the size of its incisor." He added that the manlike figure had fingers and toes.
"The truth is that it was a one of a kind experience. I had never seen anything like it. When we go to the ranch at Cerro El Creston, we find hairs stuck to the tree trunks, as though "it" was scratching itself against them. There are many animals in the area, but none with fur resembling that of the creature they hunted," Martin explained.
"I Never Saw Anything Like It"
Marcelo Choque, a forensic veterinarian for the Provincial Police under the Environmental Division of the service, was startled to see the photographs of the strange specimen’s skull, shot by a rancher in the heights of Cerro El Creston in Metán. "I never saw anything like it. It’s clearly an anthropomorphic figure, but I can’t tell you the species. And I could much less explain the exaggerated size of its incisors, which give it a monstrous appearance."
The expert paused to think for a moment and continued. "There are no anthropoids in the are where they shot it. And the ones belonging to our fauna do not possess in any way the humanoid characteristics showing in the photo. If it is a monkey of some sort, it would be a rarity, an unclassified species or a genetic aberration. I’m stunned and I think it would be necessary to travel with a team of experts to the area where the skull is kept in order to conduct an analysis of the remains."
-And in reply I added the following in a couple of the groups I belonged to:
THAT is the head of a monkey, probably a howler monkey. The living specimen was only about two feet tall. BUT one description of the Ucumar says it is like an outsized, tailless howler monkey and that is the sort of report they are thinking about.
"Ucumar" is however not a precise name and it is used vaguely to refer to unknown bears, bearlike monkeys or apemen with equal force. I can see what the reports are driving at and I do think that the creature they are talking about would be like a large howler monkey. In this case, though, the heads and skulls the article is talking about are only ordinary, smaller monkeys. They are also not the young ones, they have the adult dentition.
The "Large Howler Monkey" is otherwise identified as the Mono Rey or Mapinguari in other areas, and is said to be the height of a short man but more heavily built. I imagine that means it is the size of a large chimpanzee or a small gorilla. That it has large tusks and it is suspected of killing livestock are also traits associated with the reports in these other categories.
Best Wishes, Dale D.
Subsequently I came across this sculpted head from the South American Chimu culture, which I take to be an "Ucu" if only because it has a bear's nose added onto it. It was labelled as a feline but not only is that not like a cat's nose, the ears are entirely humanoid. (shown on 'Imagen 28')
Among other featues on this sculpted Ucu, the cheek teeth are entirely flat and the jaws and teeth overall are ape-like, similar to an orangutan's. They are not cat-like, bear-like, nor do they even match a howler monkey's skull. The eye sockets are shown in the wrong place, but it is probably significant that the skull as illustrated in the sculpture even has eye sockets. Most carnivores do not even have that much.
So while the head as shown in the photographs is a false alarm, I think the mistake is made for something that is actually real and mysterious in South America and illustrated crudely by the sculpted Chimy head. It is an ape with big tusks jutting foreward like an orangutan's and it is called Ucu or Ucumar-Zupai, although also other things and also with the name Ucumar applied to different unrelated things such as bears. I definitely think it must be something that resembles an orangutan although its face may differ (that part is harder to say because the sculpted head is very likely to be somewhat stylized and inaccurate.) And it is known as far South as parts of Argentina, where it is also called a "Goblin"
Best Wishes, Dale D.
CALL FOR EUROPEAN REPTILE EXPERTS
Dear herpetologists,
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recently developed methods to assess species' vulnerability to climate change impacts, known as the `Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Framework' (CCVF). These methods have so far been applied to the world's birds, corals and amphibians, as well as at a more regional scale to a range of East African species.
As an upcoming MSc project it is my aim to apply these same techniques in the assessment of European reptiles. This will be the first time that such assessments have focused on this particular group of species and will likely compliment IUCN's Red List in highlighting areas (taxonomic or geographic) of high priority for conservation. This project will also likely form the groundwork for the assessment of other reptiles worldwide.
Having previously worked for IUCN in the application of these methods I am well qualified to perform this assessment. Furthermore, also collaborating on the project are Wendy Foden (Programme leader – IUCN's Climate Change and Species Programme), Dr Richard Davies (Ecologist and GIS expert – University of East Anglia, UK) and a number of other faculty members from the schools of biological and environmental sciences, meaning that a high level of expertise will ensure a robust and well executed assessment.
The success of this assessment relies on the contributions of large numbers of reptile experts, with a good knowledge of one or more European species or location. Therefore, I am looking to form communications with as many experts as possible. Communications will likely involve the discussion of factors that make reptiles more or less vulnerable to climate change impacts, and the consideration of which species possess these `traits'. Most data will be collected through the completion and review of short forms, and there is also likely to be a series of workshops at key locations across Europe for experts making substantial contributions and wishing to attend.
I am aware that many of you have extremely busy schedules and will, therefore, aim to keep communications simple and to a minimum. It is also important to note that contributors will choose their own level of participation – THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO COMMITMENT REQUIRED AT ANY STAGE!
If anyone wishes to contribute their knowledge to this study, or would simply like more information on the project, then please feel free to contact me at:
Jamie.carr@uea.ac.uk
For my own organisational purposes it would be helpful if you could state your location of residence and any specific area of expertise (e.g. species, family, country or other geographic location) that you have.
Thanks very much to you all and I look forward to your responses and collaboration.
Best wishes,
Jamie Carr
--
Faculty of Science
School of Biological Sciences
University of East Anglia
Norwich
UK
jamie.carr@uea.ac.uK
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recently developed methods to assess species' vulnerability to climate change impacts, known as the `Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Framework' (CCVF). These methods have so far been applied to the world's birds, corals and amphibians, as well as at a more regional scale to a range of East African species.
As an upcoming MSc project it is my aim to apply these same techniques in the assessment of European reptiles. This will be the first time that such assessments have focused on this particular group of species and will likely compliment IUCN's Red List in highlighting areas (taxonomic or geographic) of high priority for conservation. This project will also likely form the groundwork for the assessment of other reptiles worldwide.
Having previously worked for IUCN in the application of these methods I am well qualified to perform this assessment. Furthermore, also collaborating on the project are Wendy Foden (Programme leader – IUCN's Climate Change and Species Programme), Dr Richard Davies (Ecologist and GIS expert – University of East Anglia, UK) and a number of other faculty members from the schools of biological and environmental sciences, meaning that a high level of expertise will ensure a robust and well executed assessment.
The success of this assessment relies on the contributions of large numbers of reptile experts, with a good knowledge of one or more European species or location. Therefore, I am looking to form communications with as many experts as possible. Communications will likely involve the discussion of factors that make reptiles more or less vulnerable to climate change impacts, and the consideration of which species possess these `traits'. Most data will be collected through the completion and review of short forms, and there is also likely to be a series of workshops at key locations across Europe for experts making substantial contributions and wishing to attend.
I am aware that many of you have extremely busy schedules and will, therefore, aim to keep communications simple and to a minimum. It is also important to note that contributors will choose their own level of participation – THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO COMMITMENT REQUIRED AT ANY STAGE!
If anyone wishes to contribute their knowledge to this study, or would simply like more information on the project, then please feel free to contact me at:
Jamie.carr@uea.ac.uk
For my own organisational purposes it would be helpful if you could state your location of residence and any specific area of expertise (e.g. species, family, country or other geographic location) that you have.
Thanks very much to you all and I look forward to your responses and collaboration.
Best wishes,
Jamie Carr
--
Faculty of Science
School of Biological Sciences
University of East Anglia
Norwich
UK
jamie.carr@uea.ac.uK
MORE ON THE SAGA OF THE VAPOURER MOTH EGGS
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A couple of weeks back we published a story about a batch of eggs laid by a vapourer moth (that's it to the right of the right hand image - the females only have tiny vestigial wings) Orgyia antiqua. What we all wanted to know was whether the red mites were attacking the eggs.
The general consensus of opinion was that it probably was.
A couple of days ago Graeme Stroud, the photographer wrote to me with the larger image..
Jonathan,
If it’s of any interest – I took this picture of the same batch of eggs yesterday. They’ve greyed down a bit over the couple of weeks, but they look to me to be completely undamaged.
Regards,
Graeme
It looks as if the red mites were innocent after all. But what were they doing if they weren't planning to eat the eggs?
THANK YOU OLIVIA
I adore my two step-daughters, and it is always nice to see them. When Olivia (the younger) telephoned to ask if it was OK to visit us on Thursday night, we of course said that it was. I knew that she wanted to try and comfort her mother who is still very upset after recent events. What I didn't know was that she was planning to make doggie gravestones for Biggles (2008-2010) and Tess (1992-2008) to mark where the little fellows lie. When we saw them in situ Olivia, Corinna and I burst into tears whereas Ivan (who had a hangover) and Graham (who didn't) just looked suitably solemn...Thank you, my dear.
CFZ INDIA EXPEDITION LOGO
The launch of the forthcoming India expedition continues apace, with the expedition logo being revealed for the first time. Many thanks to Mark North who once again has done us all proud...
OLL LEWIS: Yesterday's News Today
http://cryptozoologynews.blogspot.com/
On this day in 1971 London Bridge reopened after being dismantled piece by piece, shipped to the USA and then reassembled in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. According to rumour the buyers thought that they were getting the more recognisable Tower Bridge but this has been denied by the purchasers, although if you had thought that when buying the bridge you'd deny it too...
And now, the news:
Scientists to resume search for Bigfoot-like ape m...
Scientists and Soldiers Solve a Bee Mystery
Gator sobers up in drunk tank
80-Foot Pregnant Whale Washes Up in California
Forest Near Mount Rushmore Suffers Beetle Attack
They want to know why the bees are disappearing they should ask the Doctor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbyhRnu0UQg
On this day in 1971 London Bridge reopened after being dismantled piece by piece, shipped to the USA and then reassembled in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. According to rumour the buyers thought that they were getting the more recognisable Tower Bridge but this has been denied by the purchasers, although if you had thought that when buying the bridge you'd deny it too...
And now, the news:
Scientists to resume search for Bigfoot-like ape m...
Scientists and Soldiers Solve a Bee Mystery
Gator sobers up in drunk tank
80-Foot Pregnant Whale Washes Up in California
Forest Near Mount Rushmore Suffers Beetle Attack
They want to know why the bees are disappearing they should ask the Doctor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbyhRnu0UQg