ZHANG RUIFANG
March 10, 2010 by Maleeka Spriggs
CHINA – An elderly Chinese woman has become the interest of many, especially WWN, because of an unusual trait!
Grandmother Zhang Ruifang, 101, has a unique characteristic that sets her apart from just about everyone on the planet. It’s not that she’s one of a handful of individuals over the age of 100 but rather that she has horn, much like that of a goat’s, growing from her forehead. Ruifang, who resides in the Linlou village of the Henan province, has shocked family and other villagers, but piqued the interest of Weekly World News.
The horn has grown to 2.4in in length since it first appeared last year. “We didn;t pay too much attention to it,” said her son Zhang Guozheng of a rough patch of skin that formed on her forehead last year.
“But as time went on a horn grew out of her head and it is now 6cm long,” added Mr. Zhang. “Now something is also growing on the right side of her forehead. It’s quite possible that it’s another horn.”
The exact explanation still escapes many but it resembles a cutaneous horn. Cutaneous horns are made up of compacted keratin, which is the same protein we have in our hair and nails, and forms horns, wool and feathers in animals.
Weekly World News correspondent Tristen Howard is on his way to China at the moment. While many may turn in disgust or horror to stories of this nature, WWN jumps for joy at the opportunity to interact with unique individuals such as Zhang Ruifang.
“She’s truly remarkable and I simply want to see it for myself,” said Howard. “I also want to let her know that WWN wants to welcome her to our family and that her ‘deformity’ is actually special. ‘Goat woman’ would be a welcomed addition to the WWN family.”
