Maipolina

In my book Water Monsters South of the Border, I devoted a chapter to "water tigers," strange, aggressive large feline-like creatures that hide in the waters of South America and ambush prey—sometimes human prey. The following excerpt discusses the Maipolina, a water tiger in French Guiana:

French Guiana, located on the northern end of the South American continent, bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Suriname, and Brazil, is home to a creature known as the Maipolina. The animal is said to haunt the Maroni River, where it patiently waits underwater for its prey.

The Maipolina, also known as Popoké and the “water mother,” reaches a size of nearly ten feet, has walrus-like tusks, droopy ears, powerful claws, and a white stripe running along its back. The fierce creature lives in caves in the riverbank, and attacks humans and canoes when the opportunity presents itself.3

In one of the most often cited reports, the Maipolina was blamed for the grisly death of a child. This occurred in October 1962 when a young boy was drowned and partially eaten after he fell into the water. His body was recovered in the Maroni River near Maripasoula, French Guiana.4 After the recovery, a doctor examined the boy’s body. The examination of the corpse revealed injuries that were consistent with an attack by a creature such as the Maipolina.5

End Notes

3. Eberhart,Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, 308.

4. Newton, Hidden Animals: A Field Guide to Batsquatch, Chupacabra, and Other Elusive Creatures, 50.

5. Vaudrey, Glen. “Blog 10: French Guiana.” Still on the Track. March 10, 2011. Accessed June 22, 2016. http://forteanzoology.blogspot.com/2011_03_10_archive.html. 

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