Wildlife
experts say they are sure the mysterious
animal killed in Angelina County this week, is
a common species. It's conjured up the wildest
and worst fears of people, but a hairless
animal may be very explainable. Dr. Billy
Higginbotham with the Texas A & M Research
Center in Overton says we're probably dealing
with something we're very familiar with.
"This occurrence
crops up from year to year , its not common
but it does, its either a coyote or a feral
dog or occasionally it could be a feral
dog-coyote hybrid with sarcoptic mange, a
disease" he says.
Researchers have
even caught glimpses of hairless coyotes on
motion sensor cameras used documenting
wildlife. But others are not convinced,
thinking it to be the mythical "Chupacabra" a
bloodthirsty predator of Mexican lore.
Hundreds have called and e-mailed with their
own explanations of what the animals is,
calling it a "New Jersey devil", a kangaroo
dog, even an ancient sphinx.
"People enjoy
summarizing what it might be" says
Higginbotham.
But if it's
a hybrid or new species, that presents another
concern by health officials.
"Lets say that
they did find out that yes you do have a new
species in the area from an animal control
standpoint the first thing that we would want
to know is does this creature possible carry
rabies" said Kevin Cummings of the Longview
Environmental Health Department.
But Higginbotham
remains confident.
"We don't have a
new species on the loose in East Texas" he
says.
Higginbotham says
if you should see one of these "hairless
coyotes", you should not be alarmed. Just
notify the Parks and Wildlife Department in
your area. Bob Hallmark reporting.
