PHOENIX, OSWEGO COUNTY -- The mythical “Chupacabra” isn’t well known in the northeast but in South America it is as famous as Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster. It is said to be blood sucking animal that preys on livestock. YouTube is full of purported sightings and clips from science fiction movies like “Chupacabra Terror”. Scooby Doo and the gang also ran into one in “Scooby Doo and the Mexican Monster.”
Now, John Adolfi from Phoenix says he has he may have proof that they exist. He gave Action News a brief look at what he claims is a Chupacabra that was killed in Texas last month.
“It was preserved, it was taxidermied immediately, it is in perfect condition,” said Adolfi.
The mounted animal is the highlight of a Chupacabra exhibit Adolfi will have in his Lost World Museum in downtown Phoenix starting Sunday, October 4th. He says it's the only preserved Chupacabra in the United States. He's also displaying bones that may have come from other Chupacabras, as well as photos and other research.
Mammal expert Ron Giegerich from SUNY ESF was skeptical after looking at pictures of Adolfi's specimen taken by Action News.
"I believe if some scientists did some DNA analysis on this we might find out it's just a domestic dog, possibly a mutt,” said Giegerich.
Adolfi also thinks there may be an explanation but there are too many strange characteristics to the sample to say exactly what the creature is.
"This is probably a mutation or a cross breed of two animals but until we get more evidence for scientists to study we're not going to know really,” said Adolfi.
After hearing about Adolfi’s exhibition, even Ron Giegerich from SUNY ESF had to admit he was intrigued.
"Hearing that he's got this mounted specimen, these other bones, possibly a skull, I would certainly be interested in taking a look,” said Giegerich.
If you want to see the Chupacabra for yourself, the exhibit is open from 4-8pm on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays in October. The Lost World Museum is on State Street in downtown Phoenix, next to the State Street café. The exhibit will also be open on Halloween. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children 6-12 and ages 5 and under get in free.
