Seal at Lake Ranco, Chile

An article published online in the Chilean Diario Futrono on Oct. 6, 2024, (link), reported a sighting of a South American Fur Seal (Arctocephalus australis)) in Lake Ranco.

Lake Ranco lies at a very low elevation, only 65 m (213 ft.) above sea level, and has a surface area of 442 km2 (171 sq. mi.) It is notorious for Culebrón and Cuero sightings. It drains into the Pacific Ocean through the 200-km-long Bueno River (124 mi).

In March 2023, there was a sighting in the lake (with a video to prove it). A local marine biologist at the Santo Tomás University in Osorno, Chile, Alexis Santibáñez, believes it is a sea wolf. He had seen them in the past swimming up the Bueno River, chasing Chinook salmon as far as 70 km (44 mi.) from the sea.

The seal in the rushes.

You can see the full video online.

---

Patagonian Monsters - Cryptozoology, Myths & legends in Patagonia Copyright 2009-2024 by Austin Whittall © 

Lake Ranco - Lake of the Week

 

Lake Ranco. Lake of the Week

This Chilean lake (40°11’ S, 72°22’ W) is set very low (65 m – 213 ft. above sea level) and has a surface area of 442 km² (171 sq. mi.).

Lake Ranco. From [4].

It is notorious for Culebrón and Cuero sightings.

For instance, at Caman inlet, at a deep pool, a fisherman caught a “very strange fish that had a crest like that of a cock with a mane down half its back” frightened, he threw it back into the lake, and this place is known as the “Culebrón Pool”.[2]

In March 2003, people living in different towns around the lake reported to the police that there was a “strange creature moving along the river, hiding in the rushes and scaring the animals that came to the shore to drink water”. They described it as a “giant snake about eight meters long [26 ft.], […] an aquatic monster”.[1] Evidently a Culebrón.

Regarding the Cuero, a compilation of contemporary Mapuche women anecdotes mentions Lake Ranco’s Cuero as follows: “cat-like nails all around it. In the past, more were seen, in the inlets […] of all colors, and also of all sizes, and there are big Cueros too and these Cueros in the water are super strong”.[3]

Bibliography.

[1] Picasso, F. and Núñez O., L., (2004). Gigantescos Ofidios Sudamericanos.
[2] Lago Ranco Misterios, relatos, mitos y leyendas. (2007). El Pozo del Culebrón.16.05.2007.
[3] Guerra, M., et al. [Comp.], (1999). Op.Cit. pp. 49.
[4] I M Photopress Discover Chile’s Seven Lakes Destination 12.10.2009

---

Patagonian Monsters - Cryptozoology, Myths & legends in Patagonia

2010 International Year of Biodiversity
 
Copyright 2009-2010 by Austin Whittall ©