Locals “milk” 20 crocodiles to death for their blood, believed to cure HIV and diabetes (photos, video)

• A group of Mexican men killed at least 20 crocodiles
• They were drinking their blood, thinking it would cure them of AIDS
• The squatters also though it cured cancer, diabetes and other diseases

After a group of men killed more than 20 crocodiles for their blood, thinking that if they drank it they would be cured from HIV, Mexican authorities rescued other 14 crocodiles who were about to also be murdered.

All the crocodiles, both living and dead, were found on a squatters’ settlement in Chiapas. They were apparently trying to “milk” them. Many of the dead specimens had gotten their tails and/or heads cut away.

Mexico’s Office for Environmental Protection announced Thursday these locals thought the crocodiles’ blood could also cure cancer, diabetes and other diseases, apart from AIDS.

Scientists insist this claim has no scientific evidence whatsoever.

Chiapas is located on Mexico’s eastern coast, within a nature reserve called La Encrucijadawhihc has a large population of crocodiles.