Dead Calves Found in ‘Witch’s Cenote’ in Bacalar Stir Mystery

Bacalar, Quintana Roo — Two dead calves were found in the waters of the Cenote Negro, a sinkhole known as the Cenote de la Bruja, or Witch’s Cenote, while two more were discovered dead nearby, rekindling local folklore and raising questions about how the animals ended up there.

The scene echoed a similar incident two years ago and has unsettled residents in this corner of the Laguna de los Siete Colores, where the cenote is the smallest in the area and one of the most mysterious, with dark waters plunging more than 90 meters (295 feet).

The cenote gets its name from a popular legend. According to oral tradition, an elderly woman who survived the Caste War once lived in a nearby hut, where she hung old dolls from the trees. In the 1960s and 1970s, authorities reportedly asked her to move so a school could be built. In response, she is said to have cursed the site, promising illness and misfortune to anyone who approached.

Over time, some residents came to believe that ceremonies were held at the cenote to ward off the supposed curse, a history that has helped cement its eerie reputation.

After the latest discovery, neighbors have again turned to those stories to explain what happened. But no official version has emerged. Municipal authorities, civil protection officials, and livestock agencies have not commented on the origin of the animals.

Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that stray cattle wandered into the area or fell into the cenote accidentally. The case remains open, and officials are expected to inspect the site to determine what happened before any supernatural explanations are considered.