Decemystery (2019) 19: Huallepen

A sketch of the Huallepen

Today’s story was meant to be on the Mantis Man, but it became very apparent to me that the level of writing that would be involved in writing about it wouldn’t be feasible the time frame I had. As such, I’ve delayed it for the foreseeable (likely until sometime late next year as I’ve planned out 2020 in a way that’ll allow me to keep a nice, if rigorous, work ethic). In its place, I picked out a story that’s equally as peculiar and will take us out of the United States and down to Chile. So let’s discuss the Huallepen.

Cows Go Moo: The Story of the Huallepen

Also known as the Huallipen or the Guallipen, the Huallepen’s name originates from the Mapuche word Wallipén, which means “sheep-calf.” It’s said to haunt the rivers and lakes of Chile and is definitely one of the more bizarre cryptids out there.

Appearance wise: the Huallepen redefines how mad cow disease affects the bovine family. With the body of a sheep, the head of a young calf, twisted feet, short front legs, and the back portion of its body resembling that of a seal, this cryptid is one of the weirdest looking things that my eyes have ever seen. It’s second only to the sketch of the New Jersey Devil that’s recognized by most. For those unfamiliar, it’s the sketch below.

A nocturnal creature and undeterred because it looks like Satan’s eternally damned beef giver, the Huallepen is said to mate with onland herded creatures—quite often at that, particularly sheep and other types of cattle. The offspring these creatures produce are said to have muzzles and legs that are horribly twisted. This ability to cause terrible deformities isn’t restricted to herded animals though. It’s said that if a pregnant woman approaches the Huallepen, her child will also be born with twisted legs and muzzles (or so says the cryptidz wikia; it’s likely they mean a nose). It’s also said that if a pregnant woman dreams of the creature for three nights in a row, she would experience terror so extreme, her child is doomed to be born with horrific deformities.

So what exactly is this creature? Such a beast of legend is sure to have some sort of explanation, right? Well, there are theories, but they aren’t as great in number as one may think. Nonetheless, let’s check them out.

Theories

1. It’s a creature similar to the Bunyip

The Bunyip is one of those creatures that’s so bizarre, it should have its own film—and I don’t mean making an appearance in 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

A drawing of the Bunyip in one of its many, many forms. This one is, I believe, its standard form until it takes another one.

Said by some to be a creature that takes the form of a flying starfish (among numerous others), the Bunyip is said to be a creature of native lore that has the ability to shapeshift. I’ve tried to research it in the past to write about it and the story makes me wonder if anything that I know is real because it’s so weird. That, in turn, makes it understandable as to why some connect the Huallepen with the Bunyip.

That said: the idea here is more or less that the two are either related to some capacity and that the legends of both are real. Some also claim that British Water Horses are related to these two creatures and that likewise, those creatures are real. However, without any concrete evidence to prove this theory. On top of that, with the Bunyip being arguably more bizarre than this story by a country mile, I think you’ll be hard pressed to sway some people to see things your way if you do believe the theory

2. It’s a legend

Probably the most obvious theory someone would think of when they hear the story of this beast, this theory posits that the story is nothing more than a legend; a story passed down from generation to generation that has made it into an era where the story can be spread through the internet and other means. As such, the creature has been added to the realm of cryptozoology and now people wonder if the beast is real. Though I haven’t seen any television shows go after it (something I wish Destination Truth had done prior to being cancelled now). Oh well, I can’t win them all.

3. It’s a rogue species of seal

Given the Huallepen’s appearance, some think the creature is either a new species of seal or some sort of rogue species of that family. This theory is more a centristic take that takes the best of both worlds; by being both real and rational. I have no idea how popular this theory is, but the cryptidz wikia listed it and as such, I’m making note of it.

4. It’s real

The final theory is that the creature is, in fact, real—relation to the Bunyip and the Water Horse not included here. Those who believe this often connect the creature to two other cryptids: the Hueke-Hueke (which I am unable to find any information on) and a creature known as the El Cuero (which translates to The Hide). The latter is said to be a highly aggressive beast, though some say it’s merely a large ray or a mata-mata turtle. I digress: whether these creatures are one-in-the-same or merely sharing similar habitats is up for debate amongst those who believe them to be real.

I cannot find any evidence in the way of supposed photographs or video footage of the Huallepen, but if anyone knows of any, I’d love to see it. Until then, this theory remains something that’s rooted more or less firmly in the belief of the legend[s] spread of the creature.

My Take

I had no intention of posting anything today, but once I realized that the Mantis Man would be too great of a task to do this month, I picked whatever sounded good. As such, I went into this story blind and I must say, I’m pleasantly surprised by just how delightfully weird this story was. That said: I don’t think this creature is real—at least not in the form it takes.

The idea the creature being a species of seal isn’t too far-fetched (some have claimed that seals are the reason some claim to have seen mermaids), but I think it’s something else entirely. Be it a case of mistaken identity of a known creature or merely a legend. Should it be real though, I’ll retract what I’ve said and hope that the creature has mercy on me. Hopefully it doesn’t know of the Panama Canal.

Conclusion

I have no idea what I expected when I clicked on the name of this creature, but I’m more than glad I did. This story is everything I love about cryptozoology. It’s extremely strange, bizarre, outlandish, yet it has a certain charm to it that’s simply irresistible. Sometime next year, I’ll be sure to share with you all the story of the Bunyip. For now, all one can do is enjoy seeing it in Michael Doughtery’s madhouse of madness Godzilla film. You should watch it by the way. It deserves the love it’s gotten from those who’ve praised it (even if I wasn’t a fan of it; I should rewatch it though).

Maybe next year if I go over the history of unmade Godzilla films.