Post by JoannaL on Jun 3, 2019 9:34:46 GMT -5
Scientific Study Says Nessie 'Might' Be Real
A major scientific study of Loch Ness has sensationally discovered Nessie “might” be real. Experts traveled the length of the famous loch on research vessel Deepscan taking water samples from three different depths collecting DNA left by all creatures from their skin, scales, feathers, fur and feces. The samples were then sent to labs in New Zealand, Australia, Denmark and France to be analyzed.
Professor Neil Gemmell of the University of Otago in New Zealand and his team have now concluded their research and the professor – an expert in genomics, ecology, population, conservation and evolutionary biology – says the results are “surprising.”
The data was tested against most of the main theories about the monster and according to Gemmell, while the full details won’t be released until later, one of the theories “might” be correct.
There are two main theories concerning the elusive creature: (1) It is a long-necked plesiosaur that somehow survived the period when dinosaurs became extinct, or (2) It is a sturgeon or giant catfish. Gemmell says he hopes to announce the full findings in Scotland next month, but would not confirm which hypothesis might be right.
“Is there anything deeply mysterious? Hmm. It depends what you believe. Is there anything startling? There are a few things that are a bit surprising,” he admits. “What we’ll have achieved is what we set out to do, which is document the biodiversity of Loch Ness in June 2018 in some level of detail. We’ve tested each one of the main monster hypotheses and three of them we can probably say aren’t right and one of them might be.”
It was hoped the study’s findings would be published earlier this year, but a series of failed attempts to film a television documentary delayed the process. Negotiations with a series of production companies ended without a deal.
Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to Loch Ness each year hoping to catch a glimpse of the mythical monster. Nessie is worth millions of pounds to the Scottish economy and tourist bosses previously said they are “eagerly anticipating” the results of the study.
Announcing the study last year, Professor Gemmell said: “Scotland is dear to my heart because my mother and her family are Scottish, I’m delighted to be here to undertake our environmental DNA investigation of Loch Ness. It’s a place of extraordinary natural beauty. We’re delighted with the amount of interest the project has generated in the science and, monster or not, we are going to understand Loch Ness and the life in it in a new way.”
Source: Fox News, June 3, 2019.
Photo: Newsbeat.
