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A CANNIBAL? OR JUST AN OUTCAST?

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we chase a tornado, admire the Northern Lights, find out if the Colorado Cannibal was a friend or foe... and learn about the man behind the Illuminati.

Al Packer aka Colorado Cannibal

PHOTOGRAPH BY EVERETT COLLECTION HISTORICAL/ALAMY

These days, the Rocky Mountain town hosts a Cannibal Grill, runs coffin races, and has mystery meat competitions.

In 1874, outside of town, a legend was born amid six men stuck in brutal weather, trying to survive. One emerged, suspiciously plump and full of cash.

Was Al Packer the dreaded Colorado Cannibal? Or was he a disliked man with epileptic seizures who killed just one man in self defense? Do the bones of the five victims provide clues?

Read the full story here.

Please consider getting our full digital report and magazine by subscribing here.

A Colt revolver (left), a tin cup (right)

PHOTOGRAPHS BY BENJAMIN RASMUSSEN

Self-defense? That was Al Packer’s claim in the killing of one of his fellow prospectors. Some sleuths believe this Colt revolver (above left), reportedly discovered at the site of the shooting, was the gun he used. Above right, a tin cup discovered at Packer’s camp site. Testimony at his trial said he cooked the flesh of his unfortunate colleagues in a tin cup. Read more.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

ReconAfrica's second test drilling site near Mbambi

PHOTOGRAPH BY JEFFREY BARBEE

They ripped through a protected wilderness to find oil. Instead, they found trouble. (Above, an illegal test drilling site within a conservancy in Namibia.)

This is the man who started the Illuminati

Pilates began in... a prisoner-of-war camp

What happens to our senses as we age?

This is the real Jesus, according to archeologists

Israel tensions spark concern over Jerusalem’s subterranean treasures

Melatonin doses vary wildly from what’s on the label—resulting in these side effects

The face of a 7,000-year-old woman

How do you explain tragic events to kids?

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

A tornado in Kansas

PHOTOGRAPH BY MIKE THEISS, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Tornado warning: Heat waves, floods, fires—researchers have a decent understanding about how climate change will continue to impact these natural disasters, yet one remains a mystery: tornadoes (above, storm chasers stop near a tornado in Rago, Kansas).

“Instead of asking ‘Did climate change cause this tornado?’" extreme weather expert Victor Gensini tells Nat Geo, "It’s better to operate under the assumption that climate change did play a role.”

Related: The effects of climate change on our mental health

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

A captive-bred Mexican fireleg tarantula

PHOTOGRAPH BY JUAN PABLO AMPUDIA

Not so fast: Mexico failed to stop illegal totoaba fishing and protect the vaquita, a critically endangered porpoise that dies in nets used to catch totoaba.

The result? Sanctions were enacted that prevent Mexico, a major exporter of wild animals for exotic pets, from selling any of its regulated wildlife abroad—from lizards to tarantulas (pictured above, a captive-bred Mexican fireleg tarantula).

The National Geographic Society supports Wildlife Watch, an investigative reporting project focused on wildlife crime and exploitation. Read more Wildlife Watch stories here.

LAST GLIMPSE

Aurora borealis in Norway

PHOTOGRAPH BY RIEGER BERTRAND, GETTY IMAGES

Nature's nightlight: What are auroras, northern and southern lights? What makes them green or red or blue (pictured, aurora borealis above fishermen village of Reine, Norway). These glowing night shows have been documented as far back as 568 B.C.—and they're not only found on Earth.

Today's soundtrack: It Really Was No Miracle, Judy Garland, Billy Bletcher, from The Wizard of Oz

We hope you liked today’s newsletter. This was edited and curated by Jen Tse, Hannah Farrow, and David Beard. Have an idea or a story about the northern lights? Write [email protected]. Happy trails!

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