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Mokele MbembeDescription The mokele m'bembe is a creature thought to live in the lakes and swamps of the Congo River basin, whose existence has long been disputed between scientists, local Pygmies, creationists and cryptozoologists. The name mokele m'bembe translates as the one that stops the flow of rivers. The monster is thought to be a sea-dweller, though can also move inland. Its main distinctive feature is a solitary horn on its head. Fishermen who inhabit the area often run from waters and land near the water edge in fear of the alleged creature, describing its ability to kill humans. Sightings are regular locally. Explanation The creature has often been likened to the Loch Ness Monster, and is thought to be a plesiosaur. Some cryptozoologists suppose that the creature might be a type of dinosaur that could have survived the mass extinction of the dinosaurs about 65 million years ago. It has even been guessed as being a member of the Sauropoda, and has survived the mass extinction. It is usually regarded as a predator. Tales of the mokele m'bembe have existed for millennia in the Pygmy tribes, thanks to their oral story-telling tradition. These peoples have an intimate relationship with the rainforest, using it for all their needs, providing all required resources. They perhaps know these lands the best, and their views are therefore respected. Reports of the Bantu tribesmen, pygmies and other natives living in parts of Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo describe sightings of long-necked, water-dwelling animals of gigantic size that occasionally kill people and hippopotami that venture too close. Recently western cryptozoologists and creationists have visited the Congo with wildlife books, and many local populations have identified the animal as being or having the likeness of a rhinoceros. Possibility of Existence So far, fringe scientists have failed to find evidence of a creature corresponding to the native legend, although casts of inexplicable footprints have reportedly been taken, which some say were made by the mokele. The Congo has wide expanses of marshland and swamps, including several large lakes, that have not extensively been explored by scientists. A recent megatransect into the wilderness of the Congo basin by the biologist and Africa explorer Michael Fay did not reveal any trace of the mokele m'bembe. Fringe scientists believe the likelyhood of its existence to be significantly higher than the Loch Ness monster because of the large amount of unchartered territory. Other large creatures, such as elephants, exist in large open clearings in the rainforests, each called a bai, as well as in thicker wooded areas, so the existence of the mokele m'bembe is a possiblity when taking into account its local environment. However, it is often thought to be even bigger than an elephant. See also
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