Do Dinosaurs still exist? Some cryptozoologists believe they do, and over the decades numerous expeditions have set out to seek proof that legendary creatures from African folklore are in fact not only dinosaurs, but are alive and dwell in the unexplored parts of the Congo.
Insert Jurrasic Park Theme Here!
Newspaper headlines sharing the 'discovery'. In 1776, a French missionary by the name of Abbé Lievain Bonaventure wrote of his travels through the Congo River region. He made observations about the local flora, fauna and inhabitants, and also made claims to have seen enormous footprints made by a "monstrous clawed monster" about 3 feet in circumference. It is, perhaps, the earliest known reference to Westerners of Mokèlé-mbèmbé, the legendary water-dwelling beast of Congo folklore. It is sometimes said to be a living creature, other times a spirit, and sightings and encounters with this creature are said to have been occurring for the last 200 years.
It is this creature that many Cryptozoologists believe to be a Sauropod dinosaur, going on eye-witness accounts and descriptions by the local tribes. However descriptions of "one who stops the flow of rivers" varies from legend to legend. It is said to be as large as, if not larger than, a hippopotamus, long-necked and a Herbivore (plant-eater) although many believe it has on occasions attacked other animals, as well as canoes that steered too close..
It is this creature that many Cryptozoologists believe to be a Sauropod dinosaur, going on eye-witness accounts and descriptions by the local tribes. However descriptions of "one who stops the flow of rivers" varies from legend to legend. It is said to be as large as, if not larger than, a hippopotamus, long-necked and a Herbivore (plant-eater) although many believe it has on occasions attacked other animals, as well as canoes that steered too close..
Attacking Mkole Mbembe. It dwells mainly in deep water and prefers bends in the river.
Numerous expeditions have set out over the last 250 years to capture the beast, or find proof of its existence. In recent times a number of TV Documentary shows have travelled to Africa in search of video evidence of said animal, however there has never been any concrete proof found that the creature exists, although many have alleged finding large unexplained tracks near rivers and hearing mysterious terrifying roars.
It is said that natives told missionaries that in 1959 a local tribe had killed a Mokèlé-mbèmbé and ate it, with the men who had devoured meat taken from the creature dying shortly afterwards due to the creature's "powers".
Numerous expeditions have set out over the last 250 years to capture the beast, or find proof of its existence. In recent times a number of TV Documentary shows have travelled to Africa in search of video evidence of said animal, however there has never been any concrete proof found that the creature exists, although many have alleged finding large unexplained tracks near rivers and hearing mysterious terrifying roars.
It is said that natives told missionaries that in 1959 a local tribe had killed a Mokèlé-mbèmbé and ate it, with the men who had devoured meat taken from the creature dying shortly afterwards due to the creature's "powers".
Evidence?
Dinosaur or elephant? The closest evidence perhaps of the creature existing is said to be from aerial footage taken over Lake Tele by a Japanese film crew in 1988 while filming footage for a documentary. It shows an object creating a disturbance and a noticeable wake. The object can be seen for fifteen seconds, with many skeptics pointing it out to possibly be an elephant.
Apart from this shaky footage, no other evidence has been produced apart from anecdotes from folklore and supposed eye-witness accounts, one in which an American explorer and writer claims, upon seeing what appeared to be a large creature just underneath the surface of the river, he was held at gunpoint by the locals who stopped him from further exploring as they viewed the creature as a "God", and not approachable.
Other creatures said to be residing in Africa, also said to be dinosaurs, are Emela-ntouka, a cryptid described as a one-horned diplodocus-like creature, the Ngoubou, which is said to be a 6-horned Styracosaurus, and Nguma-monene, a water-residing dragon.
Also alleged to reside in the Congo is a terrifying creature by the name of Kasai Rex, a supposed Tyrannosaur that was seen attacking and eating a rhinoceros in a valley in 1932. One witness fainted while the other ran away. It is claimed this creature was photographed but the 2 photos taken were proven fakes, however reports of a terrifying creature resembling a T-Rex has been reported for years attacking animals and cars, on one occasion it is said to have snatched a man from a Jeep while running besides the vehicle!
However these stories have not been proven as fact.
Apart from this shaky footage, no other evidence has been produced apart from anecdotes from folklore and supposed eye-witness accounts, one in which an American explorer and writer claims, upon seeing what appeared to be a large creature just underneath the surface of the river, he was held at gunpoint by the locals who stopped him from further exploring as they viewed the creature as a "God", and not approachable.
Other creatures said to be residing in Africa, also said to be dinosaurs, are Emela-ntouka, a cryptid described as a one-horned diplodocus-like creature, the Ngoubou, which is said to be a 6-horned Styracosaurus, and Nguma-monene, a water-residing dragon.
Also alleged to reside in the Congo is a terrifying creature by the name of Kasai Rex, a supposed Tyrannosaur that was seen attacking and eating a rhinoceros in a valley in 1932. One witness fainted while the other ran away. It is claimed this creature was photographed but the 2 photos taken were proven fakes, however reports of a terrifying creature resembling a T-Rex has been reported for years attacking animals and cars, on one occasion it is said to have snatched a man from a Jeep while running besides the vehicle!
However these stories have not been proven as fact.
Australias Dinosaur Legend
Cryptozoologist Rex Gilroy holding up his Burrunjor cast. Australia has its own possible dinosaur cryptid, it is known as the Burrunjor, and is said in Aboriginal mythology to be a some-what similar creature perhaps to a Tyrannosaur. It is thought that this creature may be responsible for eating cattle in the 1950's, as ranchers described a creature that left two legged trails in its aftermath. Earlier accounts suggest the creature has a reptilian appearance and ate large native animals including kangaroos.
Are these myths and legends from the African tribes based on reality?
Do these creatures really exist, and are they perhaps surviving members of species from the Jurassic Era?
And if so, how have they managed to remain elusive and hidden from the worlds eyes, not leaving any trace of evidence of their possible existence?
Or are these creatures "spirits?"
Are these myths and legends from the African tribes based on reality?
Do these creatures really exist, and are they perhaps surviving members of species from the Jurassic Era?
And if so, how have they managed to remain elusive and hidden from the worlds eyes, not leaving any trace of evidence of their possible existence?
Or are these creatures "spirits?"
Matty Sweeney 2013
Put together by Ashley Hall 2013
Put together by Ashley Hall 2013
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