THE NEBRASKA "CHUPACABRAS"

I have written elsewhere of how the term “chupacabras” has changed. It was once purely used to describe a partially bipedal creature that is reported to have spines down its back, and is allegedly vampiric.

I have visited Puerto Rico on two occasions, each time meeting up with the deputy head of Canovenas Civil Defense, Ismael Aguyo, who was one of the few men who coined the term “chupacabras” (literally Spanish for ‘goat sucker’) back in the mid 1990s, when there was a spate of attacks on domestic livestock that left the victims – usually fowl or tiny goats – drained, at least partially, of blood. Unfortunately, since 2004, the term has also been used to describe a variety of canids, reported across the southern states of the USA, usually blue or grey in colour, without any hair, and often with strange pads of flesh on their haunches; exactly where the dog’s buttocks would be, if a dog had buttocks (which it doesn’t).

The latest advantage of the mutation of this particular Spanish neologism concerns a creature that was allegedly found in a national park in Nebraska last week. The Sportsman Channel originally said the animal was found in Ponca State Park, however, The Lincoln Journal-Star reports a woman named Angie Ketelsen says she found it near her home in Martinsburg, which is 11 miles southwest of the park.

Ketelsen says her dog “dragged the carcass to her home,” and she believes it’s just a raccoon that is unrecognizable because its hair is “matted and sun bleached.”

Read more here: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article231306543.html#storylink=cpy

Although our researches have been hampered by the ridiculous constraints placed upon viewing various websites by the EU’s GDPR legislation, I circulated this information to a hand-picked group of experts. Like Caesar, I have assembled my Xth Legion (devotees of Rudyard Kipling will probably get the reference). My physiology skills are not what they once were, and so I have started to circulate pictures of mysterious carcasses and bones to a group consisting of Melanie and Ric (two bone collectors I know from Twitter), Lars and Max (professional zoologists who work closely with the CFZ), Carl (a zoology student, field naturalist and close colleague of ours), my elder stepdaughter, Shoshannah, who is a vet (an animal doctor, not that she fought in Vietnam) and my lovely wife, Corinna, who is possessed of a bloody great dollop of common sense.

When we first got hold of this photograph, we had not been informed that only the front half of the animal had been recovered.

Ric wrote:

“Well the teeth could be a bit doggy but I can't work out what's happening with the front leg and foot; they look to be at a very odd angle. I don't think I can speculate much about this really. But give us a skull and bones and we could draw allsorts of fascinating conclusions!”

Corinna said:

“A kind of golden retriever with a short nose.”

Shoshannah wrote:

“I don't know, something about it just doesn't look real. I think it's a combination of the teeth, fur and nose,” and “Why such a poor photo cutting out most of the body?”

Lars tended to agree, writing:

“Looks fake to me too - especially the fur makes me think of stuffed toys.”

However, several days later we got hold of the rest of the photographs. There were three, rather than two, and it’s obvious that the animal is much smaller than we had first supposed, about twice the size of a shoe.

The woman who found it believes that it is a dead and mutilated racoon, with fur that had become bleached in the sun. However, I believe that - although the teeth are superficially similar - the absence of colouration, the pointed nose, and the apparently long fur, would argue against this hypothesis.

Corinna commented:

“The picture of the woman holding it up - is that its pelvis hanging down? Why would back end be like that with front end still having all that fur? She looks jolly happy at the smell Is that a man's, woman's or child's shoe that it is being scaled against?”

The more I look at it, the more I am inclined towards Lars’s hypothesis that it is the front half of a toy lion. However, now we have the second and third pictures, I will circulate them again to my Xth Legion, and see what they have to say.

FORTEAN BIRD NEWS FROM THE WATCHER OF THE SKIES

What has Corinna's column of Fortean bird news got to do with cryptozoology? 

Well, everything, actually! 

In an article for the first edition of Cryptozoology Bernard Heuvelmans wrote that cryptozoology is the study of 'unexpected animals' and following on from that perfectly reasonable assertion, it seems to us that whereas the study of out-of-place birds may not have the glamour of the hunt for bigfoot or lake monsters, it is still a perfectly valid area for the Fortean zoologist to be interested in.

• The great green expansion: how ring-necked parakee...
• Birds prefer to live in luxury than in poor areas,...
• Feathers came first, then birds
• Bird personalities influenced by age and experienc...
• CLIMATE CHANGE IS KILLING TUFTED PUFFINS, RESEARCH...

BIGFOOT NEWS IN BRIEF

FBI Report On Bigfoot Hair Released After More Than 40 Years Patch.com PORTLAND, OR — Bigfoot is dead. Well, maybe. Also, maybe not. The FBI normally only releases files publicly after the subject of the files — Bigfoot ...

Old monster still on the prowl Texarkana Gazette Eerily, or maybe just coincidentally, the Fouke Monster Festival, celebrates the Fouke Monster and Bigfoot the same weekend Held 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. ...

Why a Boston lawyer bankrolled the man behind the FBI's infamous Bigfoot file The Boston Globe The FBI captured the imagination of the nation last week when the bureau released 22 pages of documents concerning the origin of 15 unidentified ...

LAKE AND SEA MONSTER NEWS

The hunt for Lake and Sea Monsters is probably the most iconic branch of Cryptozoology. Following our successful Mystery Cat and BHM Study Groups, we feel that these sightings should also be archived and published in a regular round-up of the stories as they come in. Curated by Sally Watts and Richard Muirhead.

TERATOLOGY: Golden bigmouth buffalo

LOCH NESS EN PASSANT

NEWSFILE: Mystery object found in Outer Banks brie...

IRELAND: Horse eels (and they have killed off Jon)...

THE GONZO BLOG DOO-DAH MAN (SLIGHT RETURN)

The Gonzo Daily: Wednesday

https://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.com/

Carl arrived late on Monday, and worked like a Trojan yesterday. Can one still say that? Are the present day inhabitants of Çanakkale on the Turkish coast, near where the city of Prian, Paris and Hecuba once stood, will complain about being objectified in this way? Is there gonna be a Twitter campaign accusing me of Iliadaphobia? Am I talking nonsense?

Well, yes, to the last question, but yesterday was a pleasant and succesfull day so I am in an extraordinarily good mood. But, don't worry kiddos, it is unlikely to last

Toodle-pip

YER EDITOR SEZ:

THE DIGITAL PRAYER FLAG

You guys out in readership land recently did massive amounts of praying for my wife Corinna. And that now - at least at the moment - she appears to be cancer free. I am convinced that these two things are related, with the outpouring of good vibes transmitted electronically, being a little like a Tibetan prayer flag. Having used it to such good effect - I want to try it on a larger scale. I am still trying to work out the details, so watch this space.

Find out more:

https://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.com/p/a-prayer-flag-lung-…

Blessed be.

ALL TODAY'S GONZO NEWS WOT'S FIT TO PRINT:

https://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.com/…/the-gonzo-track-of-…

THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Benjamin Britten - Fo...

https://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.com/…/the-fall-live-at-tj…

The Fall - Live at TJs Newport 2001 (CD)

https://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.com/…/thom-world-poet-dai…

THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

https://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.com/…/leonard-and-mariann…

LEONARD AND MARIANNE

https://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.com/…/dean-ford-review.ht…

DEAN FORD REVIEW

For those of you who are interested in such things, the Gonzo Privacy Policy is here:

http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.com/p/privacy-policy-this-…

And the CFZ Privacy Policy is here:

http://tinyurl.com/y7b9rlog

And, yes,

http://forteanzoology.blogspot.com/p/privacy-policy-this-pr…

CHECK OUT THE GONZO STORES:

UK

http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/

US

http://www.gonzomultimedia.com

AND OTHER STUFF FEATURING VARIOUS GONZO CONTRIBUTORS:

Our webTV show:

https://www.facebook.com/OnTheTrack/posts/632561497117057

And if you fancy supporting it on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/CFZ

And by the way chaps and chappesses, a trip to the Jon Downes megastore may seem to be in order:

https://gonzotesting.blogspot.com/…/a-notion-of-shopkeepers…

Meanwhile I continue to pretend that I am a popstar, because now I have sold eight whole copies of my new album Coldharbour. If I continue at this rate I will get a silver disc sometime at the beginning of the next millenium. Coldharbour, by the way, can be found here: https://jondownes1.bandcamp.com/releases

I think it is really rather good, but then again I would say that wouldn't I?

AND THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GONZO MAGAZINE:

Gonzo Weekly #341/2

THE HORSE WITH NO NAME ISSUE

http://www.gonzoweekly.com/

In this peculiar issue we meet the legendary America as they release a box set Live at the Palladium, Alan goes crazy in Lithuania, John goes to see the Sun Ra Arkestra and Chris Botti, Jeremy goes to see Sylfest and Peter Perrett, Jon is concerned about the Green Party backlash, and Graham talks about the Technicians of Spaceship Hawkwind (TOSH).

Hail Eris!

And there are radio shows from Mack Maloney and Friday Night Progressive AND Strange Fruit there is a columns from Kev Rowland, but Mr Biffo, C J Stone, and Roy Weard, Neil Nixon and the irrepressible Corinna are on hiatus. There is also a collection of more news, reviews, views, interviews and potoroos who are fallen for a ruse (OK, nothing to do with tiny marsupials who are easily obfuscated, but I got carried away with things that rhymed with OOOOS) than you can shake a stick at. And the best part is IT's ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!

This issue features:

Green Party, Paris Jackson, Paul McCartney, The Beatles, Glastonbury 2019, Marillion, Morrissey, Lincolnshire Time and Tide Bell, Biff Vernon, Strange Fruit, Friday Night Progressive, Mack Maloney's Mystery Hour, José Gabriel de Souza Diniz, Jaroslav Erik Fric, Jake Black, John Gary Williams, Pier Borha, Roger Kynard "Roky" Erickson, Paddy Fahey (or Fahy), Ðelo Jusic (born Ðevalhudin Jusic), Tony "Little Sun" Glover (born Dave Glover), Willie Lee Ford Jr., Lawrence “Lo” Leathers, Rick Wakeman, Arthur Brown, Greg Kofi Brown, Norma Waterson feat. Richard Thompson, Martin Carthy, Danny Thompson and Eliza Carthy, Paice, Ashton & Lord, The Mitchell Trio inc John Denver, America, Alan Dearling, Lithuania, Uzupis Independence, Thomas Freer, Munich Pub Choir, Romas Viciauskas, Brayden Drevlow, Lucid Electric Feel, John Brodie-Good, Chris Botti, The Sun Ra Arkestra, Jeremy Smith, Sylfest, Peter Perrett, Kev Rowland, Follow the Cipher, The Glenn Crytzer, Graveyard, Gyre, Hatred Reigns, Ihsahn, Jean Beauvoir, Tony Klinger, Beverly Hills, Hawkwind, Jonathan Downes, The Wild Colonial Boy, Veep, Armando Iannucci

And the last few issues are:

Issue 341-42 (Kev Rowland)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-341-2.html

Issue 339-40 (Kev Rowland)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-339-40.html

Issue 337-38 (Zee)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-337-8.html

Issue 335-36 (Raz)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-335-6.html

Issue 333-34 (Nepal)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-333-4.html

Issue 331-32 (Scott Walker)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-331-2.html

Issue 329-30 (Charlie X)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-329-30.html

Issue 327-28 (Hawkwind)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-327-8.html

Issue 325-26 (Gonzo)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-325-5.html

Issue 323-24 (Irvine Welsh)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-323-4.html

Issue 321-22 (Discordianism)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-321-2.html

Issue 319-20 (Brix Smith)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-319-20.html

Issue 317-18 (Christmas)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-317-18.html

Issue 315-16 (Steve Miller)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-315-16.html

Issue 313-14 (Hawkwind)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-313-14.html

Issue 311-12 (Extinction Rebellion)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-310-11.html

Issue 309-10 (Steve Hillage)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-309-10.html

Issue 307-8 (Michael Moorcock)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-307-8.html

Issue 305-6 (Maartin Allcock)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-305-6.html

Issue 303-4 (kOZFEST)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-303-4.html

Issue 301-2 (Ringo Starr)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-301-2.html

Issue 299-300 (Aretha Franklin)

https://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo-299-30.html

Issue 298 (Alan in Hungary)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo297.html

Issue 297 (Shir Ordo)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo297.html

Issue 295-6 (Robert Berry)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo295-6.html

Issue 294 (Bow Wow Wow)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo294.html

Issue 293 (Stonehenge)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo293.html

Issue 292 (Rolling Stones)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo292.html

Issue 291 (Alien Weaponry)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo291.html

Issue 290 (Frank Zappa)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo290.html

Issue 289 (Misty in Roots)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo289.html

Issue 288 (Paula Frazer)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo288.html

Issue 287 (Boss Goodman)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo287.html

Issue 286 (Monty Python)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo286.html

Issue 285 (ELP)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo285.html

Issue 284 (Strangelove)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo284.html

Issue 283 (Record Store Day)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo283.html

Issue 282 (Neil Finn and Fleetwood Mac)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo282.html

Issue 281 (Carl Palmer)

http://www.flipsnack.com/9FE5CEE9E8C/gonzo281.html

Issue 280 (Steve Andrews)

All issues from #70 can be downloaded at www.gonzoweekly.com if you prefer. If you have problems downloading, just email me and I will add you to the Gonzo Weekly dropbox. The first 69 issues are archived there as well. Information is power chaps, we have to share it!

You can download the magazine in pdf form HERE:

http://www.gonzoweekly.com/pdf/

SPECIAL NOTICE: If you, too, want to unleash the power of your inner rock journalist, and want to join a rapidly growing band of likewise minded weirdos please email me at jon@eclipse.co.uk The more the merrier really.

* The Gonzo Daily is a two way process. If you have any news or want to write for us, please contact me at jon@eclipse.co.uk. If you are an artist and want to showcase your work, or even just say hello please write to me at gonzo@cfz.org.uk. Please copy, paste and spread the word about this magazine as widely as possible. We need people to read us in order to grow, and as soon as it is viable we shall be invading more traditional magaziney areas. Join in the fun, spread the word, and maybe if we all chant loud enough we CAN stop it raining. See you tomorrow...

* The Gonzo Daily is - as the name implies - a daily online magazine (mostly) about artists connected to the Gonzo Multimedia group of companies. But it also has other stuff as and when the editor feels like it. The same team also do a weekly newsletter called - imaginatively - The Gonzo Weekly. Find out about it at this link: www.gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.co.uk

* We should probably mention here, that some of our posts are links to things we have found on the internet that we think are of interest. We are not responsible for spelling or factual errors in other people's websites. Honest guv!

* Jon Downes, the Editor of all these ventures (and several others) is an old hippy of 59 who - together with a Jack Russell called Archie, an infantile orange cat named after a song by Frank Zappa, three other cats, one totally coincidentally named after one of the Manson Family, purely because she squeaks, puts it all together from a converted potato shed in a tumbledown cottage deep in rural Devon which he shares with various fish. He is ably assisted by his lovely wife Corinna, his elderly mother-in-law, and a motley collection of social malcontents. Plus.. did we mention Archie and the Cats?