The blogosphere is currently abuzz with reports of an unusual looking animal that washed up on a riverbank in Cerro Azul, Panama. The creature, looking like a hairless sloth, has been described as everything from an alien to an unborn fetus to an elaborate hoax.
The media is reporting that a group of teenagers were swimming in a river when the ‘frightening’ animal crawled out of a cave. The teenagers threw rocks at the pale creature and then beat it to death with sticks. Afterwards, they threw its limp body into the river and took a few snapshots to preserve their work for posterity.
Whether the strange hairless creature from a South American cave is a new species, an unusual looking rendition of a known species or even a fancy hoax, is not really the point, because regardless of where the creature came from or what it is, how the animal was treated is all too familiar.
At the heart of the "Strange Creature From Panama” story is a familiarity that elevates this particular tale from yet another fictitious sighting of a Yeti or the Loch Ness Monster to a plausible, even factual story. Even though it seems ludicrous that a group of teenagers could be frightened of the creature depicted in the photos, we know that it is entirely plausible that kids would beat such a creature to death.
Looking at the pictures of the fragile creature with its odd-looking arm thrown over its malformed head is unnerving, not for its awkward vulnerability in death or even because of the possibility of the images simply being yet another tasteless internet joke, but because we know, with absolute certainty, that someone, somewhere on the planet would not hesitate to throw rocks at this creature and then beat it to death.
I think this is why we flock to this story, like grim voyeurs at a tragic roadside accident, not because of the strangeness of the tale, but because of the uncomfortable familiarity of its sad ending.
Valerie Williams is the editor of GreenMuze.com. She lives on Salt Spring Island, Canada.
Comments (51)
Excellent !
No information and a sappy conclusion.
written by quasi-biologist , September 21, 2009
No information and a sappy conclusion.
written by quasi-biologist , September 21, 2009
I disagree completely. People want to know what this creature is. Thats what attracts them to this story, not wanting to be "grim voyeurs". And what else would you expect from a few teenagers. How could they NOT be frightened by that thing with its "odd-looking arm" and "malformed head". People are afraid of what they don't understand, which frequently leads to an inevitable ending such as this. You should be thanking them. If they didn't kill this thing then you a wouldn't have had this chance to call attention to what you might call animal cruelty (i would call it human nature). I'd say the point of this story is not the familiar way in which the animal was treated, but the public's fascination with the unknown.
written by RO , September 21, 2009
written by RO , September 21, 2009
I can't believe that this story has only prompted three responses, two of which have to do with vocabulary and literacy. Are you people serious? This poor animal doesn't even appear to have teeth and hasn't been described as aggressive or hostile by the people who killed it. Like a victim.
I think people who instinctively want to destroy something simply because it is different are useless......isn't it the same as what white people did to the Indians or to blacks or to the jews?
It makes me sick that these ignorant, small minded people enjoy the same air I breathe, the same planet I live on and yet have no regard for the life around them, even if it just the life of a strange, hairless creature coming out of his cave to breathe the air and see the sun.............I HATE YOU
written by Vanessa , September 21, 2009
I think people who instinctively want to destroy something simply because it is different are useless......isn't it the same as what white people did to the Indians or to blacks or to the jews?
It makes me sick that these ignorant, small minded people enjoy the same air I breathe, the same planet I live on and yet have no regard for the life around them, even if it just the life of a strange, hairless creature coming out of his cave to breathe the air and see the sun.............I HATE YOU
written by Vanessa , September 21, 2009
How ignorant, RO. "How could they NOT be frightened?" is your sorry excuse for justifiably killing a baby animal? So I assume if Michael Vick didn't understand his pit bulls, it was okay for him to kill them in your pathetic world? By your other ignorant comment stating we should be thanking them, I can only pray and hope that you never bring children into this world. Your level of ignorance is quite amazing, which I can only attribute to a lack of education and good parenting. I really feel sorry for you.
written by John R. , September 21, 2009
written by John R. , September 21, 2009
I am extremely reassured that others have had the same reaction to the story that did. A poor innocent creature beaten senselessly to death because he was unfamiliar and foreign to the assailants. It is true that this type of story is all too familiar, unfortunately.
written by Colin , September 21, 2009
written by Colin , September 21, 2009
HOAX HOAX HOAX ok.. kids not frightened, they killed it with sticks and they THREW it? ok... who on earth would touch an animal like that? HOAX HOAX HOAX. this is sooooo unreal,
written by Karla , September 21, 2009
written by Karla , September 21, 2009
Good point. There is a sad and predictable resonance about the story. The strange victim, sprawled out, naked and lifeless, only adds some fascination to the the familiar accident scene. Maybe the tale's predictability is what makes it especially sad. A pitiful looking creature, despite it's fragility, would be senselessly pummeled to death for merely existing by a bunch of people.
written by Ro , September 21, 2009
written by Ro , September 21, 2009
Blessings to all living creatures. May this gentle being rest in peace.
written by Linda , September 21, 2009
written by Linda , September 21, 2009
It's a bold sloth. Maybe even shaved. Notice the hair at the top left of the foto and notice the claws.
written by Martin , September 21, 2009
written by Martin , September 21, 2009
well if it was an alien we never know cuz they killed it. dont you think it would have attacked them when they threw the rocks or bite them when they hit it. they killed a poor animal if it was an animal but i think it fake. they are still evil little kids. i with the guy who says it a sloth. maybe some newly discovered sloth or extinct. poor thing.
written by linda , September 21, 2009
written by linda , September 21, 2009
I think it is a hoax and hope it is a hoax because it troubles me horribly that it may have been stoned and hit with sticks until it died. Yes, it looks so very close to ET who was loved and adored by all... It could also be a mutant sloth. Regardless of what it is it is sad to think that it was killed. I don't see children wanting to get that close to it or touching it.
written by Lulu , September 21, 2009
written by Lulu , September 21, 2009
Look at the claws on its hands.......lt looks like it could barely stand on those thin legs......let alone attack the kids i don't care how "Scared" they say they were those "kids" were teenage boys they new what they were doing.....i say they rot in juvie.....then rot in hell......
written by Caroline , September 21, 2009
written by Caroline , September 21, 2009
First of all...nobody knows if this is a hoax yet ,but if it were not ,all you people are attacking these LATINO boys and even bringing racial issues to this matter. How do ANY of you know what crossed their minds at that moment?? How do you expect a teen to stop and delegate and assess the situation with their friends whether they should kill this thing or not or even what to do?? Obviously none of you have any children because if it were my kids I would want them to be safe and of course PROTECT THEMSELVES against a horrid creature that is unknown and unfamiliar to them. You all are so IGNORANT to even think this could be considered a crime!! So I guess next time your WHITE kids see the Loch Ness monster or Nessie or even Sasquash they should stop and pet it or better yet have some tea with it while the officials get there...right??
written by Elena , September 22, 2009
written by Elena , September 22, 2009
Were these kids really in danger, Why didn't they leave? They were wanting to "kill" something. This is why things become extinte. Several years ago here in Ohio several people said they had spotted a rare hummingbird...to "prove" to everyone that they weren't making it up a guy caught and killed the bird so he could show everyone he wasn't lieing. What happed to just taking pictures?
written by Larry Kidd, Ohio , September 22, 2009
written by Larry Kidd, Ohio , September 22, 2009
How do we know if danger was really present?? We don't know the circumstances. What if this "thing" charged at them?...I am not saying that what these kids did was right but we don't know what exactly happened either. I feel is wrong that people are judging these kids as killers with absolutly no idea of what happened. Of course this "thing" looks defenseless...even a serial killer looks fragil when dead... Now if you saw a spider in your backyard, lets say big...something you've never seen before and it's moving towards you...are YOU going to run and get a camera? How would you know if it's poisonus or not? or even the last one of it's kind?...It is proven that dinosaurs exsisted but do we want Ol' T-Rex hanging out in our neighborhood??... and there's a big difference between a Humming bird and this creature.
written by Elena , September 22, 2009
written by Elena , September 22, 2009
Keep in mind I read it was about 5 feet tall. This wasn't some small cute bunny. If it came out of a cave and came at me, I'd probably react as well. Would you prefer your kids to pet the nice aggressive pitbull that comes running at them on the street? Or throw rocks at it? I'm sick of the politically correct hippies that have taken over the world. If this thing came at them aggressively, then good riddance. Last thing I'd want is my son walking out by that lake and getting clawed by that creature.
The one part I don't buy is that they picked that thing up and threw it in the water. Most likely the creature was already dead when they found it. Maybe a mutated sloth of some sort that died, fell in the water, and then washed up on shore. The cave, stoning, and tossing it in the water sounds like the exagerrated tale most teenage boys would tell... of course they would think their story made it better, not realizing that the world would frown upon them for claiming to kill the creature.
written by Pete , September 22, 2009
The one part I don't buy is that they picked that thing up and threw it in the water. Most likely the creature was already dead when they found it. Maybe a mutated sloth of some sort that died, fell in the water, and then washed up on shore. The cave, stoning, and tossing it in the water sounds like the exagerrated tale most teenage boys would tell... of course they would think their story made it better, not realizing that the world would frown upon them for claiming to kill the creature.
written by Pete , September 22, 2009
Furthermore, does Valerie (the author) honestly think this is getting attention because the creature was killed... or because everyone wants to know WHAT this animal is?
written by Pete , September 22, 2009
written by Pete , September 22, 2009
My interest is totally because the creature is unidentified, not at all because it was killed.
written by Ray , September 22, 2009
written by Ray , September 22, 2009
Elena, you couldn't have said it any better. I agree... If it was our daughters who experienced this.. I would have wanted them to do just the same to protect themselves... I don't care what the animal/human/ creature looks like... If you don't feel safe, then do what u have to do to be safe. It is like you said, who knows what went through their minds.. If it was me ... My first thought would be "DEFENSE" !!!
written by Denisse , September 22, 2009
written by Denisse , September 22, 2009
i agree with pete, im sure they found it already dead. i think every 14-16 year old boy would want to be known by their friends and everyone else as a monster slayer, so they made up the rocks and sticks part.
written by adam , September 22, 2009
written by adam , September 22, 2009
After reading these comments over again, I'm honestly disgusted at the people like John R. and Vanessa who reacted the way they did. Once again, you're both reacting to a situation where the boys most likely lied about killing it. But for the sake of this debate, we'll pretend they did kill it.
If that thing came out of a cave and went towards my child, I hope he would defend himself. AGAIN! How dare any of you question someone's parenting skills... As a parent I intend to instruct my son to defend himself if he feels threatened. John R. - How about you tell your child to go through this world being a peace loving trusting young human being, and to hop in the car with the guy offering him/her candy? SORRY! If any animal or human being comes at my child in a threatening way, they are to defend themselves. They are to question the safety of any situation and act appropriately. I value my child's life enough to not raise them saying "If you feel threatened, react peacefully and trust all animals and people". Where were you raised?
And Vanessa... that creature sure wasn't coming out for some sun... it looks like it hadn't seen the sun in its entire life unless its skin naturally excretes SPF 60.
Fact is, it was probably dead when the kids found it, and now the world wants to know what it is. Get over it.
written by Pete , September 22, 2009
If that thing came out of a cave and went towards my child, I hope he would defend himself. AGAIN! How dare any of you question someone's parenting skills... As a parent I intend to instruct my son to defend himself if he feels threatened. John R. - How about you tell your child to go through this world being a peace loving trusting young human being, and to hop in the car with the guy offering him/her candy? SORRY! If any animal or human being comes at my child in a threatening way, they are to defend themselves. They are to question the safety of any situation and act appropriately. I value my child's life enough to not raise them saying "If you feel threatened, react peacefully and trust all animals and people". Where were you raised?
And Vanessa... that creature sure wasn't coming out for some sun... it looks like it hadn't seen the sun in its entire life unless its skin naturally excretes SPF 60.
Fact is, it was probably dead when the kids found it, and now the world wants to know what it is. Get over it.
written by Pete , September 22, 2009
I feel sorry for this creature and wish we didn't live in such a violent world.
written by May , September 22, 2009
written by May , September 22, 2009
I agree with Pete.
Let's make this into something like "Boys killed sloth because of how it looked... are charged with hate crime"
written by Ralph , September 22, 2009
Let's make this into something like "Boys killed sloth because of how it looked... are charged with hate crime"
written by Ralph , September 22, 2009
I really don't think this animal is a sloth, for the following reasons: look at this creature's nose. Compare that to ANY image of a sloth. It just doesn't match. From what I can see, the black, dog-like nose of a sloth is not evident here. Also, this animal doesn't have any teeth. Sloths have teeth. Even soaking in a river wouldn't make all of its teeth fall out. Think about any other skeleton you've ever seen. The skull retains the teeth pretty well. Teeth are locked into the jaw, and can't be "soaked" out. There aren't even voids in the "gums" region on this animal, suggesting that it probably never had teeth. Let's discuss this, rather than politics.
written by Melissa , September 22, 2009
written by Melissa , September 22, 2009
Images showing of the lower half of the animal are conspicuously absent from the net.
Rumour is autopsy results found the creature to have undergone some type of postmortal sexual interference.
Its likely the creature was already dead when the teens discovered it.
Television footage exists of the entire animal in which’ defilement’ to the lower body is apparently evident
written by Wendy , September 22, 2009
Rumour is autopsy results found the creature to have undergone some type of postmortal sexual interference.
Its likely the creature was already dead when the teens discovered it.
Television footage exists of the entire animal in which’ defilement’ to the lower body is apparently evident
written by Wendy , September 22, 2009
This creature seems so vulnerable - I hope it died peacefully and all these rumors about beating and violence are untrue.
written by Cindy , September 22, 2009
written by Cindy , September 22, 2009
Update on September 22, 2009 : FRANCE 24 contacted the National Environmental Agency of Panama (ANAM), in charge of the examination. They found that the creature was in fact the decomposing body of a dead sloth, which lost its fur as a result of rotting in the water for too long. The teenager's account of throwing stones at a live animal and returning to find it dead was presumably a hoax. Reports of it being a huge sloth foetus were untrue.
written by Pete , September 23, 2009
written by Pete , September 23, 2009
Um...prob a sloth by looks at it. My ? is wheres the rest of the news? whats up w/ the biology reports, DNA testing? what is it? I'm all for self defense but that thing dont look too intimadating. In a perfect world it would have just ate the kids...people suck.
written by Z , September 25, 2009
written by Z , September 25, 2009
First of all Pete, had you done any research or looked into this story at all, you might have chosen not to share your jackass opinion with those of us who actually did. The boys who claimed to have killed this creature described what happened. They said it came out of its' cave and "slumbered" over the rocks at the side of the river. They were afraid and threw sticks and rocks at it. They never said it tried to attack them. It was fear of the unknown which prompted their actions inevitably leading to its' demise. I am aware of the ages of the boys who brought this story to life, it is not for me to decide whether or not they are liars and I am not a scientist. However, I am smart enough to open my ears to hear what's being said, open my eyes to see what has happened..........
written by Vanessa , September 26, 2009
written by Vanessa , September 26, 2009
One more note for you Pete, look up the word "slumber" in the dictionary: it means to sleep, to lay dormant. This thing came out its' cave and slumbered over the rocks......Oooh, scary.......
written by Vanessa , September 26, 2009
written by Vanessa , September 26, 2009
By the way, pigmentation has nothing to do with SPF60.......
You really show your lack of knowledge with that ridiculous statement starting with "Fact is", followed by the word "probably". Is it FACT or NOT, anything else you'de like to share Pete? SAVE IT
written by Vanessa , September 26, 2009
You really show your lack of knowledge with that ridiculous statement starting with "Fact is", followed by the word "probably". Is it FACT or NOT, anything else you'de like to share Pete? SAVE IT
written by Vanessa , September 26, 2009
The fact of the matter is that nobody except those kids knows what happened there. Whether this thing was calmly sauntering along or coming at them aggressively only they can say. I'd like to see anyone from this bored react in different manner if the latter situation was thrust upon him/her. If it's me or it, or if I think in any way that it's me or it, I'm going for the throat. Survival is human nature, unfortunately so is poor judgement. Poor judgement, however, can only really be evaluated in hindsight, so the only way we'd know if these kids were in the right was if the headline ran "Four Teens Found Dead Near Cave in Panama."
written by Don't know , September 27, 2009
written by Don't know , September 27, 2009
Parents - TEACH your children kindness!!!!!! If this it true...those teenagers should be prosecuted for cruelty to animals. It's against the law to beat an animal to death. My GOD! SICK kids = sick adults.
written by Teacher , September 28, 2009
written by Teacher , September 28, 2009
I agree Teacher....
written by Vanessa , September 28, 2009
written by Vanessa , September 28, 2009
Parents - TEACH your children self defense. If this it true...those teenagers should be rewarded for killing that inbred hideous looking thing. If in fact they did kill it.
written by joe , September 29, 2009
written by joe , September 29, 2009
No matter what it is, hoax or not, there hasn't been any follow up stories on this has there? I would like to know, kind of curious myself.
written by Kassie , October 02, 2009
written by Kassie , October 02, 2009
The photos are real and not a hoax, but this is no "alien" creature! It's a three toed SLOTH! Animals like this are all over Panama. There are also many other animals there too! Why don't you just put antennaes, suction cups, and paint them green too? Hahaha! You people with your crazy imagination are even more unbelievable.
written by David , October 18, 2009
written by David , October 18, 2009
Oh, by the way, this sloth was dead way before the children claimed to have killed it. The animal was dead for a very long time before the picture. The hair has been lost and the belly is swollen with gas (happens after death).
written by David , October 18, 2009
written by David , October 18, 2009
If anyone wants to know what it is. Just look closer, at the claw and at the face. It's a SLOTH that has been in the water a while and the fur has come off. Note: the children lied to spiff up the story a bit, it was dead when they found it.
written by Brad , October 20, 2009
written by Brad , October 20, 2009
I was raised in Panama not too far from where they found this creature. I had the privledge to be able to explore and become one with many of the natural species found there. To me it looks like a sloth that might have been sick...
written by rah , October 29, 2009
written by rah , October 29, 2009
i dont know rather or not this story is true or some form of hoax but the truth is that the kids did willingly admit to killing a being that had shown no violence in nature. this was not done to defend ones self or provide food. why is it that it is acceptable even approved of behavior. this poor creature did it display violence no it was killed then the photos of it were plastered all over the internet for nothing more than entertainment. this is what the human race has become violence for sport.
written by Mae , July 13, 2010
written by Mae , July 13, 2010
This creature is clearly a sloth. It may be mostly hairless from floating in a river, this is also why I think his belly looks bloated. I do not think it was alive when the kids found it. I think it had been floating in the water for some time and the kids made up a story about beating it to death. It is still sad that kids will kill things just for the hell of it, though.
written by tismedood , July 26, 2010
written by tismedood , July 26, 2010
i think 3 things 1. unreal. i mean come on, if a thing that was probity bigger than you and running at you, would you stay and throw rocks at it and than come back later to take photos of it? i don't think so. 2. if a thing that was probity bigger than you and running at you witch would be quicker? throwing rocks at it or running away from it? 3. it looks like a hairless sloth, maybe from radiation or as tismedood said it was swimming or floating in a river.
written by matthewk511 , July 27, 2010
written by matthewk511 , July 27, 2010
Oh sure, Elena, make it about race! Maybe I'm crazy, but the race of the boys never once entered my mind, and I probably speak for the rest of the commenters as well.
written by KMac , January 31, 2011
written by KMac , January 31, 2011
So, these kids didn't kill this creature, and even if they did? They're teenage boys. If I saw that thing coming at me, I wouldn't attack it with rocks but I sure would gather up a few rocks and run the hell away. Let's pretend that the story is true, it is an alien, and was coming out of it's cave. We've all seen too many TV shows and imaginations run wild. It's pretty to think that 'Oh, I wouldn't kill that poor defenseless thing' in retrospect. But uh, really? An alien-ish thing coming out of a cave near you? Scary stuff. Yeah, it's sad that we see it as threatening. It's not 'sick human nature'. I wish the world didnt work like that but.... it does. So, IF it was real, IF the boys attacked it, they would probably be scared, and personally? I justify their actions. But I'm glad I don't have to, becuase newsflash? Its a HOAX. The boys LIED. (Which makes it a little sickening to me)
written by Wow... , January 31, 2011
written by Wow... , January 31, 2011
Honestly, I think every person who didn't run away from this thing screaming and pissing their pants...Would have beat the bloody hell out of this thing. I would like to see you run up and "protect" this "thing"! It's simply human nature to defend yourself against the unknown. Because you wouldn't have wanted this thing near you, alive.
written by Devin , February 25, 2011
written by Devin , February 25, 2011
I think it is a hoax. It could have been a dead, mutated/rotted sloth, but as was pointed out before, THERE ARE NO TEETH! I don't care how long a body floats in a river, it's true that the teeth don't fall out. And if the teeth had been torn out to make the boys' story more authentic, than there would have been marks. So this says "hoax" to me.
I don't agree with the mentality that we should attack something that looks scary. Humans have a fight or flight reaction, just like all other animals. If something chases you, you run. There was no reason to attack, whether the animal was lying there or crawling toward them. Using the dog metaphor again, if a dog charges you and looks like it has rabies, for example, than you don't throw something at it and antagonize it, whether you feel you are in the right or wrong. You RUN AWAY!
And before you say, "Anyone would attack that thing! It looks so threatening, with its nonexistant teeth," I know I wouldn't. I wouldn't antagonize an animal with something as simple as sticks and rocks. If that was all I had on hand, I'd leave. If I came across it again, I would be carrying something useful. For those who feel justified in killing it, I won't judge you, but if you're going to kill something, do it quickly and humanely.
So it was likely a hoax, and yes, they probably lied. Even a teenage boy who overreacts to the presence of a sick animal would not be that inhumane unless they were extremely sick.
written by Seriously? , March 29, 2011
I don't agree with the mentality that we should attack something that looks scary. Humans have a fight or flight reaction, just like all other animals. If something chases you, you run. There was no reason to attack, whether the animal was lying there or crawling toward them. Using the dog metaphor again, if a dog charges you and looks like it has rabies, for example, than you don't throw something at it and antagonize it, whether you feel you are in the right or wrong. You RUN AWAY!
And before you say, "Anyone would attack that thing! It looks so threatening, with its nonexistant teeth," I know I wouldn't. I wouldn't antagonize an animal with something as simple as sticks and rocks. If that was all I had on hand, I'd leave. If I came across it again, I would be carrying something useful. For those who feel justified in killing it, I won't judge you, but if you're going to kill something, do it quickly and humanely.
So it was likely a hoax, and yes, they probably lied. Even a teenage boy who overreacts to the presence of a sick animal would not be that inhumane unless they were extremely sick.
written by Seriously? , March 29, 2011
i thought to myself, what would i do if something like this came walking towards me. i'd probably start jetting off and you would be seeing a dust of smoke behind me. but then again males are more brave and i bet they thought to run but since it was coming at them they figured they could take it down together. i would of done the same thing. and for you people out there trying to say this is animal cruelty you should put yourself in their situation. what would you do if you were caught off guard with something you have never seen before? some kind of animal you couldn't recognize. and even though it does look sooooo "innocent" in the pictures you don't know if it was being aggressive with the boys when it was alive and going towards them. it could of been hostile, you don't know that. but i think its a interesting story and wonder if there is anymore out there. it does look like a sloth though. cool story. i just wish they could of investigated it more to find out what it really was and have an explanation.
written by jenna , April 26, 2011
written by jenna , April 26, 2011
Hey Jenna, yeah so It was a mangey sloth...scary (and gross) part is, YES, there are probably more. and guess what else? the kids, boys or not, didn't have to kill it because it was already dead when they found it.. I mean people are easily entertained right? So they made up the story that they killed it to look like the monster masters. Uhhh, there aren't any bruises or any bleeding in the photo, right. Autopsy was performed in France in Sept. 09, determined that yes it was a big damn humanoid looking dead sloth.
written by Brian , June 02, 2011
written by Brian , June 02, 2011
what if it was your children playing and this thing came at them ready to kill? would you just tell your kids to be calm and let it kill them? you guys are looking at it one way when there's a lot of ways it could've played out
written by andrew , January 27, 2012
written by andrew , January 27, 2012
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written by Stephanie , September 21, 2009