Post by MoMo on Mar 11, 2012 18:04:24 GMT -6
Lake Van Monster
Grouping: Cryptid
Sub grouping: Lake monster
First reported: 1995
Country: Turkey
Region: Lake Van, Van
Habitat: Water
The Lake Van Monster (Turkish: Van Gölü Canavarý) is a legendary creature that lives in Turkey.
Description
The only historical evidence of the creature appears to be persistent rumors regarding an ancient engraving, discovered in a small church on one of Lake Van's four islands, which is said to accurately depict the features of the creature in the lake. Said to be some 50 feet in length, with dark, mottled skin, two small eyes situated on top of its head and sharp triangular humps on its back, the Van Lake Monster has been described by hundreds of eyewitnesses as being almost “prehistoric” in appearance.
History
The Lake Van Monster was not reported until 1995 in Lake Van, a large alkaline lake in Eastern Turkey. There are now more than 1,000 people claiming to have witnessed the beast which is reported to measure around fifteen meters long with spikes on its back and appears similar to a Plesiosaur or Ichthyosaurus. Following these reports the Turkish government sent an official scientific survey group to the lake who failed to spot the creature.
In 1997 a local man, Unal Kozak, a teaching assistant at Van University, captured the creature on video which was sent for analysis. He has written a book about the monster. Yet his video is under constant criticism, with questions like why it never pans left, possibly because of a boat that may have carried the creature. Or why the monster only goes straight, instead of curving through the water. Even criticism as to why the breathing is not in and out, but a continuous release, much like the effects of an air hose.
A 4-meter high statue based on reported sightings has been erected to its honor in Van, Turkey.
Skeptics point out that the region would benefit from tourist revenue and a hoax might attract visitors.
Grouping: Cryptid
Sub grouping: Lake monster
First reported: 1995
Country: Turkey
Region: Lake Van, Van
Habitat: Water
The Lake Van Monster (Turkish: Van Gölü Canavarý) is a legendary creature that lives in Turkey.
Description
The only historical evidence of the creature appears to be persistent rumors regarding an ancient engraving, discovered in a small church on one of Lake Van's four islands, which is said to accurately depict the features of the creature in the lake. Said to be some 50 feet in length, with dark, mottled skin, two small eyes situated on top of its head and sharp triangular humps on its back, the Van Lake Monster has been described by hundreds of eyewitnesses as being almost “prehistoric” in appearance.
History
The Lake Van Monster was not reported until 1995 in Lake Van, a large alkaline lake in Eastern Turkey. There are now more than 1,000 people claiming to have witnessed the beast which is reported to measure around fifteen meters long with spikes on its back and appears similar to a Plesiosaur or Ichthyosaurus. Following these reports the Turkish government sent an official scientific survey group to the lake who failed to spot the creature.
In 1997 a local man, Unal Kozak, a teaching assistant at Van University, captured the creature on video which was sent for analysis. He has written a book about the monster. Yet his video is under constant criticism, with questions like why it never pans left, possibly because of a boat that may have carried the creature. Or why the monster only goes straight, instead of curving through the water. Even criticism as to why the breathing is not in and out, but a continuous release, much like the effects of an air hose.
A 4-meter high statue based on reported sightings has been erected to its honor in Van, Turkey.
Skeptics point out that the region would benefit from tourist revenue and a hoax might attract visitors.
