Case file · Cryptid
Orocovis sheep deaths, the first 'chupacabras' attack
In March 1995 eight sheep were found dead in Orocovis, in Puerto Rico's central mountains, each said to have three puncture wounds in the chest and no blood left.
1995 CE · 18.23, -66.39 · status: explained
The account
The deaths were the first in a run of livestock and pet killings across the island that summer. Radio comedian Silverio Pérez is credited with naming the culprit 'chupacabras' (goat-sucker) on his San Juan show, and the name stuck before anyone claimed to have seen the animal.
The sceptical view
Animals killed by dogs often look bloodless to farmers because blood pools and clots inside the carcass; no necropsy from the wave showed exsanguination by an unknown animal.