1
00:00:03,100 --> 00:00:04,600
[monster screams]
2
00:00:04,600 --> 00:00:07,066
[Phil] It sounds big,
and it sounds angry.
3
00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:10,066
-[monster grunts]
-[Phil] Oh!
4
00:00:10,066 --> 00:00:11,033
Everybody back,
back, back, back.
5
00:00:12,567 --> 00:00:14,000
[woman yells] Oh God!
6
00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:16,533
[Josh Gates] On this episode
of Expedition X...
7
00:00:17,467 --> 00:00:20,867
My team heads deep
into the Louisiana Bayou
8
00:00:20,867 --> 00:00:24,567
on the hunt for a legendary
swamp monster.
9
00:00:24,567 --> 00:00:28,166
I seen the eyes. Bright red.
It stood up about 7-foot tall.
10
00:00:28,166 --> 00:00:29,867
Oh! It's moving.
11
00:00:29,867 --> 00:00:31,233
[Jessica] Is that
coming towards us?
12
00:00:32,367 --> 00:00:33,567
[Phil] Look at the eyes
back there.
13
00:00:33,567 --> 00:00:35,767
-[shushes]
-[monster growls]
14
00:00:35,767 --> 00:00:36,834
[Phil] There's one eye.
15
00:00:38,066 --> 00:00:39,400
-[both] Two.
-[Jessica gasps]
16
00:00:49,467 --> 00:00:52,000
All right, I have
something very cool
to show you guys today.
17
00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:53,967
We got movie day.
Are we getting a sub?
18
00:00:53,967 --> 00:00:55,867
[Josh] No substitute teacher,
you're stuck with me.
19
00:00:55,867 --> 00:00:57,500
But it is movie day.
20
00:00:57,500 --> 00:01:00,667
All right, this is a very
intriguing old film
21
00:01:00,667 --> 00:01:04,066
that was sent to me
by a woman named
Dana Holyfield from Louisiana.
22
00:01:04,066 --> 00:01:07,266
She claims this shows--
Are you ready for it?
23
00:01:07,266 --> 00:01:09,567
-Ready
-A terrifying monster.
24
00:01:09,567 --> 00:01:11,467
Dude, you get
the weirdest fan mail.
25
00:01:11,467 --> 00:01:12,567
I do, you have no idea.
26
00:01:12,567 --> 00:01:15,467
But I have to say,
this is very cool footage.
27
00:01:15,467 --> 00:01:16,867
Phil, you ready
to believe in monsters?
28
00:01:16,867 --> 00:01:19,000
Play the film
and then we'll see.
29
00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:20,367
Okay, here we go.
30
00:01:21,367 --> 00:01:23,367
-[Jessica] You installed
a clapper in here?
-Just watch the movie.
31
00:01:23,367 --> 00:01:25,100
Wow.
32
00:01:25,100 --> 00:01:30,000
[Josh] Okay, so we're out
in the swamps now. Get ready.
33
00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:32,533
We see there's like
a hunting blind
or a platform there.
34
00:01:32,967 --> 00:01:34,166
Okay, here we go.
35
00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:36,834
Keep an eye, center
of the frame in the back.
36
00:01:40,367 --> 00:01:42,567
-Look at that! Look at that!
-[Jessica] Oh!
37
00:01:42,567 --> 00:01:43,700
-Yeah!
-You see that?
38
00:01:43,700 --> 00:01:45,166
That looks like Bigfoot.
39
00:01:45,166 --> 00:01:49,900
Right? We see this large,
upright something walking
right through the frame.
40
00:01:49,900 --> 00:01:53,567
[Jessica] I mean,
that legitimately
looks like Bigfoot.
41
00:01:53,567 --> 00:01:54,600
[Josh] That's
what Dana thinks.
42
00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:57,266
This has really become
a family mystery for her.
43
00:01:57,266 --> 00:01:59,467
This footage was shot
by her grandfather
44
00:01:59,467 --> 00:02:04,066
who spent his whole life
trying to figure out exactly
what that is.
45
00:02:10,100 --> 00:02:13,600
[Josh] New Orleans
has a rich history of folklore
and mysticism
46
00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:15,333
from voodoo to vampires...
47
00:02:16,100 --> 00:02:17,767
[howling]
48
00:02:17,767 --> 00:02:19,867
[Josh] ...but for the folks
living on the edge
of the swamp,
49
00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:23,100
one legend
has eclipsed all others.
50
00:02:23,100 --> 00:02:25,400
The Honey Island
Swamp Monster.
51
00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:29,867
The first known sighting
is in 1963 by Harlan Ford.
52
00:02:29,867 --> 00:02:34,367
He's out hunting,
and claims he runs into
a 7-foot ape-like creature
53
00:02:34,367 --> 00:02:38,867
with large amber-colored eyes
covered in long, matted hair.
54
00:02:38,867 --> 00:02:42,266
He's so terrified
and awestruck by the encounter
55
00:02:42,266 --> 00:02:44,266
that he spends
more than a decade
56
00:02:44,266 --> 00:02:46,166
relentlessly searching
the swamp.
57
00:02:46,166 --> 00:02:51,467
In 1974, he claims
to finally find physical proof
of the creature.
58
00:02:51,467 --> 00:02:53,367
Harlan makes a plaster cast
59
00:02:53,367 --> 00:02:56,367
of a 11.5-inch
three-toed footprint.
60
00:02:56,367 --> 00:03:00,300
Ford contacts
the Louisiana department
of Wildlife and Fisheries
61
00:03:00,300 --> 00:03:02,000
who find similar tracks,
62
00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:06,467
but are unable to identify
any known species in the area
that could make them.
63
00:03:06,467 --> 00:03:11,000
He continues to search,
carrying with him
a Super 8 camera.
64
00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:14,000
And at some point
before his death
in March of 1980,
65
00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:17,600
he films the footage
of what appears to be
a monster.
66
00:03:17,600 --> 00:03:21,066
But for unknown reasons,
he keeps it to himself.
67
00:03:21,066 --> 00:03:25,400
It isn't until 2006,
when his granddaughter,
Dana Holyfield,
68
00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:29,467
is working on a documentary
about her family's
decades-long search
69
00:03:29,467 --> 00:03:33,133
when Harlan's old 8mm
film reels are discovered.
70
00:03:36,767 --> 00:03:40,700
Okay, so what do you think?
Is there a Louisiana cryptid
out of the swamps?
71
00:03:40,700 --> 00:03:43,066
I mean, all of this
sounds pretty compelling.
72
00:03:43,066 --> 00:03:45,567
So at least worth
going out there
and researching it.
73
00:03:45,567 --> 00:03:47,800
What I would love to see
is those plaster casts.
74
00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:52,367
However, my instinct here
tells me that this is probably
a case of misidentification.
75
00:03:52,367 --> 00:03:55,100
Someone sees something
like a black bear in the woods
out there,
76
00:03:55,100 --> 00:03:57,100
and if they can't quite
make out what it is,
77
00:03:57,100 --> 00:03:59,767
imagination can take you
to some pretty wild places.
78
00:03:59,767 --> 00:04:02,367
Sure, but that
old film footage,
that's not a bear.
79
00:04:02,367 --> 00:04:05,667
It's not, however,
maybe it's all a hoax.
80
00:04:05,667 --> 00:04:08,066
Maybe that's
someone in a Bigfoot suit
walking around.
81
00:04:08,066 --> 00:04:09,800
I mean, that's the first thing
you think, right?
82
00:04:09,800 --> 00:04:12,300
Could this just be
a man in suit?
83
00:04:12,300 --> 00:04:14,767
I mean, that is
a possibility, right?
84
00:04:14,767 --> 00:04:17,367
But you gotta remember,
Harlan never used this
85
00:04:17,367 --> 00:04:19,266
to profit off of it
in any way, shape or form,
86
00:04:19,266 --> 00:04:23,700
so I don't understand why
somebody would dress up
for no reward.
87
00:04:23,700 --> 00:04:25,800
[Josh] Right.
That's the part of this
that's very compelling.
88
00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:29,600
Maybe we're dealing
with some sort of southern
subspecies of Bigfoot here,
89
00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:30,867
a la Swampsquatch.
90
00:04:30,867 --> 00:04:31,967
-Right?
-That's a good name.
91
00:04:31,967 --> 00:04:33,166
-[Josh] That's a good name.
-It is a good name.
92
00:04:33,166 --> 00:04:35,066
Or who knows?
Maybe it's a werewolf.
93
00:04:35,066 --> 00:04:37,567
You think there's a werewolf
running around in the swamps?
94
00:04:37,567 --> 00:04:42,667
Don't laugh. Because there is
southern folklore around
the Louisiana area
95
00:04:42,667 --> 00:04:45,567
about a rougarou,
and it's basically a werewolf.
96
00:04:45,567 --> 00:04:47,166
A giant, hairy man-beast.
97
00:04:47,166 --> 00:04:50,867
Well, whatever it is,
that's what you're here
to find out, all right?
98
00:04:50,867 --> 00:04:52,500
I'm sending you to the bayou.
99
00:04:52,500 --> 00:04:55,767
I want you to shed light
on these recent
eyewitness accounts.
100
00:04:55,767 --> 00:04:57,266
-Okay.
-Sounds good.
101
00:04:57,266 --> 00:05:01,033
All right. Time to figure out
what is lurking in
the Honey Island Swamps.
102
00:05:01,467 --> 00:05:03,300
Good luck.
103
00:05:03,300 --> 00:05:06,567
[Josh] It's a
three-and-a-half hour flight
from New York to New Orleans,
104
00:05:06,567 --> 00:05:10,500
a city swirling with centuries
of multicultural influences.
105
00:05:10,500 --> 00:05:13,200
And from there,
it's a 40-minute drive north
106
00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:15,233
to the Pearl River
Wildlife Area.
107
00:05:16,066 --> 00:05:18,367
[Jessica] This is looking
pretty swampy.
108
00:05:18,367 --> 00:05:24,333
[Josh] These 35,000 acres
of untamed marshland
contain Honey Island Swamp.
109
00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:28,867
I've arranged a meeting
for Jess and Phil with Dana
110
00:05:28,867 --> 00:05:30,767
at her family's
old hunting camp.
111
00:05:30,767 --> 00:05:32,166
But to get there,
112
00:05:32,166 --> 00:05:35,533
they'll need to adopt
a more swamp-friendly
form of transport.
113
00:05:37,367 --> 00:05:39,533
-[Jessica] All right,
you ready?
-[Phil] Oh, yes.
114
00:05:46,367 --> 00:05:49,100
-You know why they
call it Honey Island?
-Why?
115
00:05:49,100 --> 00:05:50,800
Because apparently
it's full of bees.
116
00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:52,533
[Jessica] Awesome.
117
00:05:53,667 --> 00:05:55,100
[Phil] There
are no roads out here.
118
00:05:55,100 --> 00:05:58,066
So the only way people find
each other is by coordinates.
119
00:05:59,367 --> 00:06:01,066
[Phil] GPS says
we go left here.
120
00:06:07,066 --> 00:06:09,100
We're meeting
with Dana Holyfield,
121
00:06:09,100 --> 00:06:11,300
whose grandfather captured
purported video
122
00:06:11,300 --> 00:06:14,100
of the Honey Island
Swamp Monster
back in the 1970s.
123
00:06:14,100 --> 00:06:15,100
-Hello there.
-[Dana] How are you?
124
00:06:15,100 --> 00:06:16,567
[Jessica and Phil] Good.
125
00:06:16,567 --> 00:06:20,300
[Phil] Since then,
Dana's been on the frontline
of the monster hunt.
126
00:06:20,300 --> 00:06:23,700
So your grandfather
dedicated decades of his life
to tracking this thing down.
127
00:06:23,700 --> 00:06:26,467
-Yes, he did.
-[Phil] Why do you think
he did that?
128
00:06:26,467 --> 00:06:31,300
I think when he first saw
this thing face-to-face
and got a good look at it,
129
00:06:31,300 --> 00:06:34,066
first of all, he said
it scared the hell out of him.
130
00:06:34,066 --> 00:06:37,166
And then finding the tracks
in the same area,
131
00:06:37,166 --> 00:06:40,467
he just became very interested
in finding out more about it.
132
00:06:40,467 --> 00:06:42,467
Why do you think
he never went public with it?
133
00:06:42,467 --> 00:06:46,767
Probably because
when he first talked
about this years ago,
134
00:06:46,767 --> 00:06:48,567
he said people come
out of the woodwork,
135
00:06:48,567 --> 00:06:50,700
like monster hunters
wanting to go in there
and shoot it.
136
00:06:50,700 --> 00:06:54,367
And he was afraid people
were gonna kill each other
by accident
137
00:06:54,367 --> 00:06:55,667
trying to hunt it down.
138
00:06:55,667 --> 00:06:56,934
So what did this thing
look like?
139
00:06:58,367 --> 00:07:03,000
My grandfather said that
the thing he remembered most
was the eyes.
140
00:07:03,000 --> 00:07:05,867
Big amber-colored eyes
just looking at him.
141
00:07:07,100 --> 00:07:10,467
The body was covered
in long, dingy hair.
142
00:07:10,467 --> 00:07:14,400
My grandfather stood 6'4",
and this thing was taller
than he was.
143
00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:17,166
Big broad shoulders
and long arms.
144
00:07:17,166 --> 00:07:19,934
And when it turned to run,
it ran off on two feet.
145
00:07:21,100 --> 00:07:23,467
What made you pick up
your grandfather's mantle?
146
00:07:23,467 --> 00:07:25,166
Did you have
an experience at all?
147
00:07:25,166 --> 00:07:27,300
I've had
some experiences out here.
148
00:07:27,300 --> 00:07:31,667
I grew up in the swamp.
There's all kinds of wildlife.
149
00:07:31,667 --> 00:07:34,767
Being out here all the time,
you hear things.
150
00:07:34,767 --> 00:07:37,066
Sometimes I'd hear this thing
screaming out.
151
00:07:37,066 --> 00:07:38,400
[monster screams]
152
00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:42,900
It's just a noise that
makes you very eerie.
153
00:07:42,900 --> 00:07:45,000
Could it be, like, a bear
or something like that?
154
00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:46,266
[growling]
155
00:07:46,266 --> 00:07:47,867
-[Dana] They do have
black bear...
- [Jessica] Okay.
156
00:07:47,867 --> 00:07:50,000
[Dana] ...that you see
out here occasionally.
157
00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:51,000
[purring]
158
00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:52,667
[Dana] Black panthers.
159
00:07:52,667 --> 00:07:55,467
There's theories that it could
have been from a circus train
160
00:07:55,467 --> 00:07:57,166
that had wrecked
out here in the '40s.
161
00:07:58,266 --> 00:07:59,767
[horn blowing]
162
00:07:59,767 --> 00:08:01,000
[crashing]
163
00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,700
[Dana] That maybe
something got off.
164
00:08:03,700 --> 00:08:07,300
Have you gotten any hints
as to what it's attracted to?
What it could feed on?
165
00:08:07,300 --> 00:08:11,433
Any clue that would help us
track whatever this is down.
166
00:08:12,467 --> 00:08:14,500
[Dana] It could feed
on wild hogs.
167
00:08:14,500 --> 00:08:15,867
[hog screaming]
168
00:08:15,867 --> 00:08:18,367
[Dana] There were some
wild hogs that had been killed
in the area
169
00:08:18,367 --> 00:08:20,200
that they found these tracks.
170
00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:22,467
They had their throats
ripped out,
171
00:08:22,467 --> 00:08:24,834
blood was all splattered
all over the place.
172
00:08:26,867 --> 00:08:30,567
This was one of the originals
that my grandfather made.
173
00:08:30,567 --> 00:08:33,467
And then we found those
a couple years back.
174
00:08:33,467 --> 00:08:35,100
-[Phil] Wow.
-[Jessica] Look at these.
175
00:08:35,100 --> 00:08:38,767
Those are really clear-cut,
good sets.
176
00:08:38,767 --> 00:08:41,567
And really consistent
that whatever this is,
177
00:08:41,567 --> 00:08:45,567
it seems like the same
species with the three main
clawed toes.
178
00:08:45,567 --> 00:08:47,266
And then this looks like
a little dewclaw.
179
00:08:47,266 --> 00:08:49,000
Do you mind
if I take a 3D scan?
180
00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:50,000
[Dana] Go ahead.
181
00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:51,367
[Phil] I'm using
a lidar scanner
182
00:08:51,367 --> 00:08:54,166
to create 3D models
of these plaster casts.
183
00:08:54,166 --> 00:08:56,567
We'll have these
digital replicas handy
184
00:08:56,567 --> 00:08:59,066
as we venture further
into the swamp.
185
00:08:59,467 --> 00:09:00,567
Got it.
186
00:09:00,567 --> 00:09:01,967
What do you think it is?
187
00:09:01,967 --> 00:09:06,100
I think it's probably
something that's just
always been out there.
188
00:09:06,100 --> 00:09:10,467
This swamp goes for miles
and miles and it connects
with other swamps,
189
00:09:10,467 --> 00:09:14,400
so there's a lot of places
for this thing to roam.
190
00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:18,333
Then where do you recommend
we start our investigation?
191
00:09:19,100 --> 00:09:21,567
Y'all need to go meet
with M.K. Davis.
192
00:09:21,567 --> 00:09:23,567
He thought it was a hoax...
[chuckles softly]
193
00:09:23,567 --> 00:09:25,800
...until he had his own
evidence out there.
194
00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:27,533
-Do you have some coordinates
you could give me?
-[Dana] Yeah, I do.
195
00:09:31,166 --> 00:09:33,100
[Jessica] We make our way
to M.K. Davis,
196
00:09:33,100 --> 00:09:35,767
a local investigator
who actually spent years
197
00:09:35,767 --> 00:09:38,233
attempting to disprove
Harlan's evidence.
198
00:09:44,467 --> 00:09:46,266
-[Jessica] M.K.?
-[M.K. Davis] Yes?
199
00:09:46,266 --> 00:09:49,133
[Jessica] Nice to see you,
Dana sent us.
200
00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:51,567
-Thank you, sir.
-[MK] All right.
201
00:09:51,567 --> 00:09:54,867
[Jessica] She said that
you had some evidence
of the swamp monster.
202
00:09:55,200 --> 00:09:56,400
[M.K.] I do.
203
00:09:56,400 --> 00:09:59,266
[Phil] So you've been
looking into this for decades?
204
00:09:59,266 --> 00:10:03,400
I put a lot into it at first,
but I didn't find it.
205
00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:06,900
And then I came
across this track.
206
00:10:06,900 --> 00:10:11,000
And there it is.
This big three-toed track,
207
00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:15,867
the same kind of track
that Harlan Ford casted
all those years ago.
208
00:10:15,867 --> 00:10:18,567
I looked at it and I said,
"This can't be."
209
00:10:18,567 --> 00:10:25,100
It can't be. You know,
'cause no one set me up.
No one knew I was coming.
210
00:10:25,100 --> 00:10:29,467
So you went from
complete skeptic on this
to now a complete believer?
211
00:10:29,467 --> 00:10:31,400
[M.K.] Well,
I don't have any choice.
212
00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:37,266
Why are you even doing this
if you're not dedicated
to the facts and the truth?
213
00:10:37,266 --> 00:10:39,400
What other kind of evidence
have you gotten?
214
00:10:39,400 --> 00:10:42,767
-I've got a thermal video.
-[Jessica] Really?
215
00:10:42,767 --> 00:10:46,400
-[Phil] You have
a thermal video of this thing?
-I do. I have a thermal video.
216
00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:48,700
-Can we see it?
-Sure. Let me go get it.
217
00:10:48,700 --> 00:10:50,934
-Awesome. All right.
-Whoa.
218
00:10:54,967 --> 00:10:56,166
[Jessica] All right.
219
00:10:57,967 --> 00:11:00,200
-[Jessica] Okay.
-[Phil] That's a pretty big
heat signature.
220
00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:02,700
-[M.K.] Right there
would be his head.
-[Jessica] Uh-huh.
221
00:11:02,700 --> 00:11:05,266
-[M.K.] And then
the rear is down.
-[Jessica] Oh, I can see it.
222
00:11:05,266 --> 00:11:08,200
It's actually behind
some vegetation.
223
00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:10,100
-It's hiding--
-[Phil] About how far away?
224
00:11:10,100 --> 00:11:11,400
I don't know for sure,
225
00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:13,867
but it was across
a body of water, it was
a pretty good way aways.
226
00:11:13,867 --> 00:11:16,066
So it's kind of like
squatting down,
looking at you guys.
227
00:11:16,066 --> 00:11:18,300
[M.K.] Right. We stayed there
for 30 minutes.
228
00:11:18,300 --> 00:11:20,367
It just stood there
and watched.
229
00:11:20,367 --> 00:11:22,066
So this is your
most recent evidence?
230
00:11:22,066 --> 00:11:23,266
It is the most recent.
231
00:11:23,266 --> 00:11:25,266
Can we get
the GPS coordinates to that?
232
00:11:25,266 --> 00:11:27,734
-You most certainly can.
I'll get them for you.
-[Jessica] Perfect.
233
00:11:29,266 --> 00:11:30,300
[M.K.] Remember, now.
234
00:11:30,300 --> 00:11:33,000
If you can see what it does
to pigs and hogs...
235
00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:35,266
-[Jessica] Yeah.
-[M.K.] It don't eat 'em,
it just kills them.
236
00:11:36,567 --> 00:11:37,867
-Be careful.
-[Jessica] We will.
237
00:11:41,066 --> 00:11:43,767
[growling]
238
00:11:45,166 --> 00:11:47,100
-[Phil] Make our way in?
-[Jess] Yeah.
239
00:11:47,100 --> 00:11:49,266
[Phil] It's going to be
a 2-mile hike on foot
240
00:11:49,266 --> 00:11:51,800
to the location where M.K.
had his encounter.
241
00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:55,100
Remote wetlands like these
are home to many
dangerous animals.
242
00:11:55,100 --> 00:11:57,867
So as we trek in, Jess and I
are on high alert
243
00:11:57,867 --> 00:12:00,266
for any large predators
in the area.
244
00:12:00,266 --> 00:12:03,767
-I think based on
everything we've heard...
-Uh-huh.
245
00:12:03,767 --> 00:12:07,567
...what people are seeing
and they describe as the
Honey Island Monster,
246
00:12:07,567 --> 00:12:13,867
it climbs, it swims,
stands upright,
rips apart boar's throats.
247
00:12:13,867 --> 00:12:15,467
That will be easy to find.
248
00:12:15,467 --> 00:12:17,100
Look for dead boars.
249
00:12:17,100 --> 00:12:19,900
For dead boars.
Also, let's look
for live boars
250
00:12:19,900 --> 00:12:21,667
'cause they can be
300 pounds around here.
251
00:12:21,667 --> 00:12:23,100
I don't wanna find live boars.
252
00:12:23,100 --> 00:12:25,333
-I don't either,
but keep your eyes out.
-All right.
253
00:12:25,867 --> 00:12:27,567
That's it over there?
254
00:12:27,567 --> 00:12:32,367
-According to his-- whoa!
GPS coordinates...
-Uh-huh.
255
00:12:32,367 --> 00:12:35,967
...we are right about there.
256
00:12:38,567 --> 00:12:41,600
This is probably our best bet
to set up camera traps.
257
00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:44,400
I got the water nearby
so that we can pick up
on anything
258
00:12:44,400 --> 00:12:47,567
that's coming down
to the water's edge.
259
00:12:47,567 --> 00:12:50,667
[Phil] This creature
has eluded search parties
for decades,
260
00:12:50,667 --> 00:12:54,166
so first up,
we're going to set a perimeter
of eight game cameras
261
00:12:54,166 --> 00:12:57,500
spaced 10 yards apart
surrounding the coordinates
of the sighting.
262
00:12:57,500 --> 00:13:01,834
Anything moving
into or out of this area,
we'll catch it on film.
263
00:13:06,900 --> 00:13:10,233
Okay. On to the next.
264
00:13:13,867 --> 00:13:15,934
[camera clicks onto mount]
265
00:13:18,567 --> 00:13:20,967
All right. Here,
this looks like a good spot.
266
00:13:27,266 --> 00:13:29,066
Oh, [bleep]. Look at this.
267
00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:32,166
Oh!
268
00:13:32,867 --> 00:13:33,767
Phil, you copy?
269
00:13:33,767 --> 00:13:35,567
Yeah, what's up, Jess?
270
00:13:35,567 --> 00:13:38,100
I just found some prints
right by the water's edge.
271
00:13:38,100 --> 00:13:39,767
I mean, I think
this thing just ran by.
272
00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:41,467
[Phil] Heading your way.
273
00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:45,667
-Jess?
-[Jessica] Right here.
274
00:13:45,667 --> 00:13:48,233
I just found some prints.
Look, look.
275
00:13:49,300 --> 00:13:50,333
-Look at that.
-[Phil] Nice!
276
00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:56,200
[Jessica] So there's
these right here,
277
00:13:56,200 --> 00:14:00,066
then over here there's more
like a three-toed track.
278
00:14:00,066 --> 00:14:02,166
[Phil] That is
really interesting.
279
00:14:02,166 --> 00:14:04,567
It does look like three.
280
00:14:04,567 --> 00:14:06,467
[Jessica] This is
the first ones I found.
281
00:14:06,467 --> 00:14:07,967
[Phil] And they do look fresh.
282
00:14:09,867 --> 00:14:12,100
-[Jessica] Do you
have your lidar?
-[Phil] I have my lidar.
283
00:14:12,100 --> 00:14:13,200
[Jessica] You wanna scan 'em?
284
00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:14,767
[Phil] We should
absolutely scan 'em.
285
00:14:14,767 --> 00:14:18,700
It's clear from these tracks
that whatever made them
is big and went inland.
286
00:14:18,700 --> 00:14:20,667
It must have just
passed through here,
287
00:14:20,667 --> 00:14:24,066
close to where M.K.
had his most recent sighting.
288
00:14:24,066 --> 00:14:28,100
If whatever made this track
was walking inland,
289
00:14:28,100 --> 00:14:30,500
why don't we go in there
and try to draw it out?
290
00:14:30,500 --> 00:14:33,600
Our plan is to use
a game caller to mimic
animal sounds
291
00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:36,767
that will hopefully
lure whatever this is
into the open.
292
00:14:38,400 --> 00:14:40,467
[Jessica exclaims] Look
how big that thing is!
293
00:14:40,467 --> 00:14:42,066
Jess, we've seen
bigger than this.
294
00:14:42,066 --> 00:14:43,400
[Jessica screaming] Oh, God!
It's moving! Oh, God!
295
00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:45,800
-[laughs]
-[chuckles nervously] Jesus,
I hate spiders.
296
00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:50,667
All right.
Your spider screaming is gonna
scare anything around here.
297
00:14:50,667 --> 00:14:52,100
Or it's gonna draw it in.
298
00:14:52,100 --> 00:14:53,367
Well, maybe that too.
299
00:14:53,367 --> 00:14:55,700
It's gonna be like,
"Wounded woman, let's go
rip her throat out."
300
00:14:55,700 --> 00:14:56,900
That is possible.
301
00:14:56,900 --> 00:14:58,800
Then I don't have to worry
about spiders anymore.
302
00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:01,433
-[chuckles] 'Cause
you'll be dead?
-Yeah.
303
00:15:04,467 --> 00:15:06,867
[Phil] Looks like over here
to the right might have
a clearing.
304
00:15:07,467 --> 00:15:08,367
[Jessica grunts]
305
00:15:10,567 --> 00:15:12,667
[Phil exhales]
What do you think? Base camp?
306
00:15:12,667 --> 00:15:14,767
[Jessica] Yeah,
let's set up the blinds here.
307
00:15:14,767 --> 00:15:17,166
Yeah.
308
00:15:17,166 --> 00:15:20,867
[Phil] We begin setting up
hunting blinds to help
camouflage our location.
309
00:15:20,867 --> 00:15:23,767
Surrounding us
is our perimeter
of game cameras
310
00:15:23,767 --> 00:15:25,266
which are tethered
to my phone.
311
00:15:25,266 --> 00:15:28,233
So if anything goes off,
I'll receive an alert.
312
00:15:29,100 --> 00:15:30,300
All right, so how about this?
313
00:15:30,300 --> 00:15:33,467
Why don't you take
the game caller and go put it
314
00:15:33,467 --> 00:15:35,967
by one of the cameras
just a little bit
further away.
315
00:15:35,967 --> 00:15:39,000
I can then watch
with the night vision goggles.
316
00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:41,100
-Okay. Make sure we have good
line of sight from here?
-Uh-huh.
317
00:15:41,100 --> 00:15:43,200
That way,
when we set that thing off,
318
00:15:43,200 --> 00:15:44,567
at least whatever
comes out of the woods,
319
00:15:44,567 --> 00:15:47,900
we'll have a running start
to potentially get away
if we need to.
320
00:15:47,900 --> 00:15:49,033
Yeah.
321
00:16:03,667 --> 00:16:05,233
Jess, how's this right here?
322
00:16:06,100 --> 00:16:07,767
[Jessica]
That's actually perfect.
323
00:16:07,767 --> 00:16:10,867
Like, I have a straight
line of sight to you.
324
00:16:10,867 --> 00:16:12,100
Do you wanna do a test
on the game caller
325
00:16:12,100 --> 00:16:14,033
to make sure it has range
all the way out here?
326
00:16:14,667 --> 00:16:15,967
All right. You ready?
327
00:16:15,967 --> 00:16:17,166
[Phil] Let her rip.
328
00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:24,367
[yowling playing
on game caller]
329
00:16:24,367 --> 00:16:26,166
[Phil speaking on radio]
330
00:16:26,166 --> 00:16:28,767
[laughing] Yes, I did.
331
00:16:29,967 --> 00:16:31,200
[Phil] Absolutely terrifying.
332
00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:33,100
All right. We got
good range out here.
333
00:16:33,100 --> 00:16:35,667
I'm gonna turn the volume up
all the way, head back.
334
00:16:35,967 --> 00:16:36,734
Copy.
335
00:16:40,900 --> 00:16:43,000
-Here's my question.
-Yeah.
336
00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:46,567
How do you know
what a bobcat in heat
sounds like?
337
00:16:46,567 --> 00:16:48,600
Who doesn't know
what a bobcat in heat
sounds like?
338
00:16:48,600 --> 00:16:51,467
-Jess, come on.
-I don't, it's so weird.
339
00:16:51,467 --> 00:16:54,734
[Phil] I think we
got ourselves a monster trap.
340
00:16:57,867 --> 00:17:00,166
-Okay, ready?
-[Jessica] Yeah,
what are you choosing?
341
00:17:01,266 --> 00:17:02,333
Deer.
342
00:17:03,066 --> 00:17:06,767
[deer sounds playing
on game caller]
343
00:17:08,100 --> 00:17:10,233
Yeah, that's what
deer sound like.
344
00:17:11,767 --> 00:17:13,667
[deer sounds playing
on game caller]
345
00:17:16,300 --> 00:17:17,934
[deer sounds playing
on game caller]
346
00:17:19,667 --> 00:17:21,266
Okay, you getting
anything out there?
347
00:17:21,266 --> 00:17:23,533
Nothing yet. Let me
check behind us. I just--
348
00:17:24,367 --> 00:17:25,667
A little nervous.
349
00:17:27,166 --> 00:17:29,166
[deer sounds playing
on game caller]
350
00:17:29,166 --> 00:17:30,700
[Phil] All right,
you ready for some howling?
351
00:17:30,700 --> 00:17:32,400
Yeah.
352
00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:36,333
[howling playing
on game caller]
353
00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:39,367
[howling playing
on game caller]
354
00:17:39,367 --> 00:17:42,000
It is eerie how much
this sounds like coyotes.
355
00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:44,967
[howling playing
on game caller]
356
00:17:44,967 --> 00:17:47,200
-[Phil exhales]
My heart is racing--
-[Jessica exclaims]
357
00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:48,266
Oh, my gosh.
358
00:17:48,266 --> 00:17:52,033
I just thought that
that might have been a face.
359
00:17:55,667 --> 00:17:56,767
[Phil] We got a hit,
we got a hit.
360
00:18:00,767 --> 00:18:01,867
Whoa, whoa.
361
00:18:01,867 --> 00:18:03,200
[growling]
362
00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:04,867
[Phil] Look at the eyes
back there.
363
00:18:05,266 --> 00:18:06,433
That's one eye.
364
00:18:07,266 --> 00:18:08,233
[Jessica and Phil] Two.
365
00:18:09,800 --> 00:18:11,433
[Phil] What is happening
over here?
366
00:18:12,166 --> 00:18:14,133
-[grunting]
-[Phil] Oh.
367
00:18:15,166 --> 00:18:16,467
[Jessica] Is that a pig?
368
00:18:16,467 --> 00:18:17,834
[Phil] That's a big mama.
369
00:18:18,767 --> 00:18:20,133
She looks mad.
370
00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:22,066
[grunting]
371
00:18:25,100 --> 00:18:28,233
You know the bad thing
about there being baby boars
out there?
372
00:18:28,900 --> 00:18:31,166
Extra aggressive mama pigs?
373
00:18:31,166 --> 00:18:32,200
I have the bear spray.
374
00:18:32,200 --> 00:18:34,700
Oh. Would a bear spray
work on a boar?
375
00:18:34,700 --> 00:18:37,100
-I mean, I guess pepper spray
is pepper spray.
-Oh, yeah.
376
00:18:37,100 --> 00:18:38,433
No one wants it in their eyes.
377
00:18:42,066 --> 00:18:44,667
Okay, I'm gonna
try something else.
378
00:18:51,567 --> 00:18:52,867
[distant growling]
379
00:18:52,867 --> 00:18:54,400
[Phil] That was a growl.
380
00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:56,533
I just heard a growl,
I didn't press a button.
381
00:18:57,266 --> 00:18:58,734
It's that direction, actually.
382
00:18:59,100 --> 00:19:01,100
[distant growl]
383
00:19:01,100 --> 00:19:02,734
[Jessica] I did hear that.
384
00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:04,567
[Phil] Got another hit.
385
00:19:05,767 --> 00:19:07,166
This is the same camera.
386
00:19:09,767 --> 00:19:11,834
It's just a lot
of dust in the air.
387
00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:14,900
[footsteps receding]
388
00:19:14,900 --> 00:19:16,533
Sounds like footsteps.
389
00:19:18,266 --> 00:19:20,567
[boar squealing]
390
00:19:20,567 --> 00:19:22,433
[Jessica] That sounds like
somebody's getting killed.
391
00:19:24,100 --> 00:19:26,066
Those guys look terrified.
392
00:19:26,066 --> 00:19:27,834
I mean, is something
hunting them right now?
393
00:19:28,867 --> 00:19:30,567
Those boars
are 200 pounds each.
394
00:19:30,567 --> 00:19:32,467
So if they're
running from something...
395
00:19:32,467 --> 00:19:35,667
-[footsteps approaching]
-[Jessica] Something's
sneaking up behind us.
396
00:19:39,266 --> 00:19:40,867
[loud grunt]
397
00:19:40,867 --> 00:19:42,100
[Phil] Oh!
398
00:19:42,100 --> 00:19:43,967
All right. Everybody
back, back.
399
00:19:53,400 --> 00:19:56,600
[Phil exhales]
My heart is racing.
400
00:19:56,600 --> 00:19:59,567
Whatever we just heard,
it is howling over there.
401
00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:03,066
-I mean, we gotta
go over there.
-[Phil] Yeah.
402
00:20:03,066 --> 00:20:04,266
Get the bear spray.
403
00:20:04,266 --> 00:20:06,100
I got the spray.
404
00:20:06,100 --> 00:20:09,867
[Jessica] Yeah,
I'm not feeling too
terribly safe right now.
405
00:20:15,300 --> 00:20:18,033
[boar squealing distantly]
406
00:20:19,367 --> 00:20:20,467
[chirping]
407
00:20:20,900 --> 00:20:22,166
[Phil] It's just a bird.
408
00:20:22,166 --> 00:20:23,100
[chirps]
409
00:20:23,100 --> 00:20:24,000
All right, let's keep moving.
410
00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:25,767
-Keep moving.
-[Jessica] Yeah. Go.
411
00:20:25,767 --> 00:20:27,767
Here's the camera right here.
412
00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:34,533
Hopefully with evidence
of what was back here.
413
00:20:37,900 --> 00:20:39,400
Those boars were
running from something.
414
00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:41,367
[Jessica] Yeah, they were
definitely pissed off.
415
00:20:45,667 --> 00:20:48,333
Something's definitely
in here, I just don't know
what it is.
416
00:20:51,266 --> 00:20:52,467
[Phil] I got a hair.
417
00:20:52,467 --> 00:20:54,266
[Jessica] You got a hair?
418
00:20:54,767 --> 00:20:55,634
Let me see.
419
00:20:55,634 --> 00:20:57,667
[Phil] It looks like
a hair follicle to me.
420
00:20:57,667 --> 00:20:59,767
-[Jessica] Let me see.
-Check this out.
421
00:20:59,767 --> 00:21:01,333
[Jessica] Oh, yeah.
422
00:21:02,500 --> 00:21:04,266
At first I thought
it was part of the plant,
423
00:21:04,266 --> 00:21:07,000
but you could see at the end
there where it narrows?
424
00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:09,700
[Jessica] Yeah. Oh, that
does look like a follicle.
425
00:21:09,700 --> 00:21:12,400
I would say 90 percent chance
this is gonna be from those
boars out here.
426
00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:13,567
[Jessica] Yeah.
427
00:21:13,567 --> 00:21:16,667
But there's that 10 percent
chance it's something else.
428
00:21:16,667 --> 00:21:18,867
[Jessica] I'm willing
to roll the dice on that.
429
00:21:18,867 --> 00:21:20,400
[Phil] Whatever
was chasing the hogs
430
00:21:20,400 --> 00:21:23,700
seems to have disappeared
as quickly as it arrived.
431
00:21:23,700 --> 00:21:25,500
There's a chance
we got something.
432
00:21:25,500 --> 00:21:29,266
But we recovered a hair
which could shine a light
on its true identity.
433
00:21:29,266 --> 00:21:30,867
While we send the sample
off to the lab,
434
00:21:30,867 --> 00:21:33,667
we leave our game cameras
running all night
435
00:21:33,667 --> 00:21:35,867
in case there is more activity
in the area.
436
00:21:40,667 --> 00:21:41,767
We missed a call from Josh
437
00:21:41,767 --> 00:21:43,467
while we were
out in the swamp,
438
00:21:43,467 --> 00:21:45,433
so we're connecting to see
what he's got for us.
439
00:21:46,300 --> 00:21:48,767
Let's give Josh a call.
440
00:21:48,767 --> 00:21:50,467
[both] Hey, Josh.
441
00:21:50,467 --> 00:21:52,400
How are my
two swamp rats doing?
442
00:21:52,400 --> 00:21:53,600
-Damp.
-Sweaty.
443
00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:55,700
[chuckles] Sounds about right.
444
00:21:55,700 --> 00:21:57,467
Okay, so what's the update?
How's it going?
445
00:21:57,467 --> 00:21:59,066
Good. We had
a really good night.
446
00:21:59,066 --> 00:22:02,367
We got some
interesting responses
off of the game caller.
447
00:22:02,367 --> 00:22:06,767
And we also saw
a large animal track
that we did a 3D scan of.
448
00:22:06,767 --> 00:22:08,867
Could be something.
I'm not saying monster--
449
00:22:08,867 --> 00:22:10,567
I'm saying monster.
450
00:22:10,567 --> 00:22:12,500
[Phil] But you know,
we got the renderings
451
00:22:12,500 --> 00:22:15,000
so we can compare it
to the other casts that exist.
452
00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:17,100
[Josh] So on the off chance
that it's not a monster,
453
00:22:17,100 --> 00:22:18,867
any other ideas
on what it might be?
454
00:22:18,867 --> 00:22:22,900
Dana said that
there's a theory that there
was a circus train derailment
455
00:22:22,900 --> 00:22:24,467
that happened
in the early 20th century,
456
00:22:24,467 --> 00:22:26,800
where a bunch
of primates were released.
457
00:22:26,800 --> 00:22:28,166
Which sounds farfetched,
458
00:22:28,166 --> 00:22:30,000
but it's not
totally unprecedented.
459
00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:31,900
For example,
there's a troop
of vervet monkeys
460
00:22:31,900 --> 00:22:35,767
that live in Florida now
that escaped from a roadside
zoo back in the 1940s.
461
00:22:35,767 --> 00:22:38,567
All right, well,
definitely something
worth looking into then.
462
00:22:38,567 --> 00:22:41,166
Yes. I do want to
follow through with this
possible primate theory,
463
00:22:41,166 --> 00:22:43,000
so I set up a meeting
with Margaret Buehler.
464
00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:44,767
She's a professor
over at Tulane,
465
00:22:44,767 --> 00:22:47,367
and she specializes
in the study of primates.
466
00:22:47,367 --> 00:22:51,000
Maybe she could tell us
if it's man, monkey, or other.
467
00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:53,400
That sounds great
and I'll keep doing
some digging on this end,
468
00:22:53,400 --> 00:22:56,166
see if there's anything else
I can dig up on
an animal escape.
469
00:22:56,166 --> 00:22:59,000
You know Jess,
one thing that you said
that really stuck with me
470
00:22:59,000 --> 00:23:02,400
is this idea that maybe
the Honey Island Swamp Monster
471
00:23:02,400 --> 00:23:06,367
could be related
to the rougarou legend,
this Cajun werewolf story.
472
00:23:06,367 --> 00:23:10,300
I've done a little research
and there are some intriguing
similarities here.
473
00:23:10,300 --> 00:23:12,800
Both of these stories
come from the same area
474
00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:15,367
and they have similar
descriptions, right?
475
00:23:15,367 --> 00:23:19,266
Both tall, both hairy,
and apparently,
both very stinky.
476
00:23:19,266 --> 00:23:22,467
Huh, I wonder if
they're related to Phil then,
'cause he's a stinky boy.
477
00:23:22,467 --> 00:23:24,367
-It's not that bad, is it?
-Yeah, you are.
478
00:23:24,367 --> 00:23:26,367
I do think it's worth
looking into
479
00:23:26,367 --> 00:23:29,300
whether there
could be a connection
between these legends.
480
00:23:29,300 --> 00:23:31,567
I've been reading up
on the rougarou,
481
00:23:31,567 --> 00:23:34,100
and I found a recent
account from an eyewitness
482
00:23:34,100 --> 00:23:37,667
who claims to have had
a terrifying encounter
with this creature.
483
00:23:37,667 --> 00:23:39,667
His name is Roy Verrett,
484
00:23:39,667 --> 00:23:43,367
and Jess, I've arranged
for you to meet him
at a museum in the city.
485
00:23:43,367 --> 00:23:45,867
So go and talk to him,
see if you can learn more
about his encounter
486
00:23:45,867 --> 00:23:49,667
and more about the legend
while Phil goes and talks
to the professor at Tulane.
487
00:23:49,667 --> 00:23:51,066
Perfect. Got it. Will do.
488
00:23:51,066 --> 00:23:51,900
All right. Good luck.
489
00:23:51,900 --> 00:23:53,867
And hey, Phil,
don't forget to shower.
490
00:23:53,867 --> 00:23:56,100
-Right. On it.
-Ew.
491
00:23:56,100 --> 00:23:57,767
-Bye, Josh.
-See you.
492
00:24:00,500 --> 00:24:03,000
[Jessica] I'm meeting Roy
at a paranormal museum
in New Orleans
493
00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:05,700
to see if his report
of the rougarou has any ties
494
00:24:05,700 --> 00:24:08,033
to our search for the
Honey Island Swamp Monster.
495
00:24:10,300 --> 00:24:11,700
Oh, and a small sidenote,
496
00:24:11,700 --> 00:24:14,467
the museum
is reportedly haunted.
497
00:24:15,567 --> 00:24:17,266
-Hey, Roy.
-Hi, Jessica, how you doing?
498
00:24:17,266 --> 00:24:18,600
-Hi, nice to meet you.
-Hi.
499
00:24:18,600 --> 00:24:19,600
[Jessica] So Josh told me
500
00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:21,000
you have quite the story
to share.
501
00:24:21,000 --> 00:24:21,834
Oh, yes.
502
00:24:21,834 --> 00:24:23,834
-You wanna check it out?
-Yeah, absolutely.
503
00:24:32,266 --> 00:24:33,467
[Roy] Here it is.
504
00:24:33,467 --> 00:24:37,333
The different images
of what people think
they've seen.
505
00:24:39,066 --> 00:24:40,300
Honey Island Swamp Monster.
506
00:24:40,300 --> 00:24:43,734
This is a werewolf-type
thing. Rougarou.
507
00:24:44,567 --> 00:24:46,166
[Jessica] So then
what's your theory?
508
00:24:46,166 --> 00:24:49,467
Do you think that the
Honey Island Swamp Monster
and the rougarou are related
509
00:24:49,467 --> 00:24:51,567
or do you think that they're
two separate beasts?
510
00:24:51,567 --> 00:24:53,367
[Roy] I believe
it's the same thing.
511
00:24:53,367 --> 00:24:55,467
I believe
it's an actual animal.
512
00:24:56,266 --> 00:24:58,200
Just undiscovered.
513
00:24:58,200 --> 00:25:01,100
It's actually a physical being
that's walking around
out there,
514
00:25:01,100 --> 00:25:02,500
it's just we don't know
what that is.
515
00:25:02,500 --> 00:25:04,266
Yes.
516
00:25:04,266 --> 00:25:07,867
So, then, tell me.
What was your experience?
517
00:25:07,867 --> 00:25:11,500
The whole area
where we stayed,
everybody lives off the land.
518
00:25:11,500 --> 00:25:13,467
Trapping, hunting,
and all that stuff.
519
00:25:13,467 --> 00:25:16,166
Behind the house,
it's just open marsh
for miles.
520
00:25:20,567 --> 00:25:22,066
I was hunting rabbits.
521
00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:30,567
And there was this
loud roar-growl.
522
00:25:30,567 --> 00:25:32,934
[monster growling]
523
00:25:33,867 --> 00:25:37,166
[Roy] It'd be a mix between
a bear and a lion.
524
00:25:37,166 --> 00:25:40,300
[monster growling]
525
00:25:40,300 --> 00:25:42,500
[Roy] I'd never heard
anything like this before.
526
00:25:42,500 --> 00:25:43,634
[Jessica] Mm-hmm.
527
00:25:44,867 --> 00:25:46,400
[Roy] As I was coming
around the corner,
528
00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:47,867
I seen the eyes, shining.
529
00:25:47,867 --> 00:25:49,634
It was a bright red.
530
00:25:51,000 --> 00:25:54,166
And it stood up.
It stood up about 7-foot tall.
531
00:25:56,367 --> 00:25:57,734
[growling]
532
00:26:03,000 --> 00:26:04,900
[Roy] I didn't know whether
to crawl out of my skin.
533
00:26:04,900 --> 00:26:06,667
There was no way
I was taking a chance
taking a shot at that.
534
00:26:06,667 --> 00:26:09,066
All it was gonna do
is piss it off.
535
00:26:09,066 --> 00:26:12,433
And at this point, I realize,
"Okay, I don't know
what this is."
536
00:26:13,367 --> 00:26:15,033
I'm not sticking around
to find out.
537
00:26:16,567 --> 00:26:19,100
Interesting. Maybe when people
stumble upon it,
538
00:26:19,100 --> 00:26:22,467
it gets startled
and it kind of
stands its ground
539
00:26:22,467 --> 00:26:24,567
because of its territory
or something like that.
540
00:26:24,567 --> 00:26:26,166
It's a good possibility.
541
00:26:26,166 --> 00:26:27,467
So you're 100 percent
a believer.
542
00:26:27,467 --> 00:26:28,967
-I'm a 100 percent
believer, yes.
-[Jessica] Yeah?
543
00:26:28,967 --> 00:26:30,300
Ain't no doubt.
544
00:26:30,300 --> 00:26:32,100
No doubt in your mind
that this is not a hoax,
545
00:26:32,100 --> 00:26:35,166
you've ran into some
unexplained creature.
546
00:26:35,166 --> 00:26:38,000
Unexplained creature
that was huge.
547
00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:39,667
Had to be...
even with the sound.
548
00:26:39,667 --> 00:26:41,166
If you didn't
put your eyes on it,
549
00:26:41,166 --> 00:26:43,867
you knew that
that animal was huge.
550
00:26:43,867 --> 00:26:46,967
I mean, I'm getting
goosebumps talking about it.
551
00:26:46,967 --> 00:26:50,500
[Jessica] Roy's account
of the rougarou sounds like
it could be one and the same
552
00:26:50,500 --> 00:26:52,467
as the Honey Island
Swamp Monster.
553
00:26:52,467 --> 00:26:55,867
Both are huge, hairy
swamp-dwelling creatures.
554
00:26:56,900 --> 00:26:59,066
Are they tied
to the same old legends
555
00:26:59,066 --> 00:27:03,433
or do they have roots stemming
from an actual unidentified
cryptid monster?
556
00:27:04,467 --> 00:27:06,767
Given his description
of its unique roar,
557
00:27:06,767 --> 00:27:09,767
I want to see about
replicating the sound
he described.
558
00:27:09,767 --> 00:27:13,767
If it's a real creature,
maybe we can use that
to lure it out of hiding.
559
00:27:14,667 --> 00:27:16,467
Do you remember
where you had these sightings?
560
00:27:16,467 --> 00:27:18,166
Would you be able to give me
the coordinates?
561
00:27:18,166 --> 00:27:19,934
-Sure.
-Fantastic.
562
00:27:22,300 --> 00:27:24,800
[Phil] I want to delve further
into the taxonomy
563
00:27:24,800 --> 00:27:27,266
of what could be
the Honey Island
Swamp Monster.
564
00:27:27,266 --> 00:27:28,867
So I'm heading
to Tulane University
565
00:27:28,867 --> 00:27:31,333
to meet with Professor
Margaret Buehler.
566
00:27:32,467 --> 00:27:34,900
She has extensive
field experience
studying primates
567
00:27:34,900 --> 00:27:38,233
and offered to take a look
at some of the evidence
we've collected.
568
00:27:39,667 --> 00:27:40,600
Hey, Margaret.
569
00:27:40,600 --> 00:27:41,700
-Hello.
-[Phil] Hey.
570
00:27:41,700 --> 00:27:43,767
-Good to see you.
-Good to see you, too.
571
00:27:43,767 --> 00:27:45,300
[Phil] Thanks
for taking the time to meet.
572
00:27:45,300 --> 00:27:46,800
You bet.
573
00:27:46,800 --> 00:27:50,567
So, as you know, we are here
looking at the Honey Island
Swamp Monster.
574
00:27:50,567 --> 00:27:53,667
We've talked to some people
that think they have evidence
of it,
575
00:27:53,667 --> 00:27:54,967
and I really want to get
your take on it
576
00:27:54,967 --> 00:27:57,767
considering how much
experience you have
in the field
577
00:27:57,767 --> 00:27:59,934
-looking at primates
in the wild.
-Sure.
578
00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:05,700
[Phil] Okay. So these
are original casts
that people have made
579
00:28:05,700 --> 00:28:09,433
-that they say are from
the swamp monster.
-Oh. Whoa.
580
00:28:12,066 --> 00:28:16,266
I'm noticing here,
kind of the deepest part
of this footprint
581
00:28:16,266 --> 00:28:18,467
is along both edges.
582
00:28:18,467 --> 00:28:21,266
Um, it does not seem
to have an arch,
583
00:28:21,266 --> 00:28:27,367
which is something you'll see
in things that are more
adapted for bipedal movement.
584
00:28:27,367 --> 00:28:31,300
-So it does look like
this has claws.
- [Phil] Mm-hmm.
585
00:28:31,300 --> 00:28:35,000
Which is not a standard trait
for a primate.
586
00:28:35,000 --> 00:28:40,500
My instincts would lean
toward this being something
more quadrupedal.
587
00:28:40,500 --> 00:28:42,266
It could be an alligator.
588
00:28:42,266 --> 00:28:46,300
They do have four digits
on their back feet
and five on the front.
589
00:28:46,300 --> 00:28:49,967
I think we just need more
samples to know for sure.
590
00:28:49,967 --> 00:28:54,266
So the majority
of these traits that you're
seeing in this,
591
00:28:54,266 --> 00:28:56,500
A, do not tell you
that it's bipedal.
592
00:28:56,500 --> 00:28:58,000
They do not.
Does not seem to be.
593
00:28:58,000 --> 00:29:01,600
And B, it's not
quite indicating primate.
594
00:29:01,600 --> 00:29:06,100
Yes. I'd say
it's very unlikely to see
595
00:29:06,100 --> 00:29:10,033
if a primate were to make
this kind of impression.
596
00:29:11,767 --> 00:29:15,567
[Phil] So, let me show you
footage from people
who claimed
597
00:29:15,567 --> 00:29:17,367
that they have seen
this thing.
598
00:29:17,367 --> 00:29:19,000
This was taken back in '70s,
599
00:29:19,000 --> 00:29:20,600
so the footage
is a little grainy,
600
00:29:20,600 --> 00:29:26,800
but at one point,
you see something that is
undeniably a little strange.
601
00:29:26,800 --> 00:29:31,367
[Margaret] So, right here,
we can definitely see
bipedal motion.
602
00:29:31,367 --> 00:29:34,000
Looks like their upper limbs
swinging back and forth.
603
00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:38,100
But the most likely
bipedal primate
that it would be,
604
00:29:38,100 --> 00:29:40,367
would be a human.
605
00:29:40,367 --> 00:29:42,000
-Yeah.
-[Margaret] Like you and I.
606
00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:44,000
Any other thing
it could possibly be?
607
00:29:44,000 --> 00:29:46,467
Because one of the theories
that is out here
608
00:29:46,467 --> 00:29:49,467
is some people say
in the early 1900s,
609
00:29:49,467 --> 00:29:52,467
there was a train crash
and some circus animals
escaped.
610
00:29:52,467 --> 00:29:56,567
Do you think it is possible
that something could be
surviving out here
611
00:29:56,567 --> 00:29:58,166
in the Louisiana swamps?
612
00:29:58,166 --> 00:30:04,300
I think primates, if released,
could absolutely live
in the swamps in Louisiana.
613
00:30:04,300 --> 00:30:05,467
Okay.
614
00:30:05,467 --> 00:30:08,166
It's kind of subtropical here,
it doesn't get too cold,
615
00:30:08,166 --> 00:30:11,834
there's plenty of water,
plenty of food, they can
absolutely survive.
616
00:30:13,767 --> 00:30:15,266
[Phil] After speaking
with Margaret,
617
00:30:15,266 --> 00:30:17,767
it's clear
that we're dealing with
some conflicting information
618
00:30:17,767 --> 00:30:20,567
between the prints, video,
and witness accounts.
619
00:30:20,567 --> 00:30:22,934
So I want to download
with Jess.
620
00:30:26,800 --> 00:30:32,100
So, yeah, I met up with Roy.
His description matches
almost perfectly
621
00:30:32,100 --> 00:30:34,000
with what Dana
and M.K. told us.
622
00:30:34,000 --> 00:30:36,266
7-feet tall, covered in fur,
623
00:30:36,266 --> 00:30:38,000
all of it just seems
to match up.
624
00:30:38,000 --> 00:30:42,000
Well, what about
this lead on it possibly
being the rougarou?
625
00:30:42,000 --> 00:30:45,100
I think the rougarou
is based in lore.
626
00:30:45,100 --> 00:30:48,166
I think that what
we're actually dealing with
627
00:30:48,166 --> 00:30:51,634
is just sightings
of the Honey Island
Swamp Monster.
628
00:30:52,100 --> 00:30:52,967
Okay.
629
00:30:52,967 --> 00:30:54,400
I think there's
something out there.
630
00:30:56,066 --> 00:30:58,700
[Jessica] We're heading
to the location where Roy
had his run-in.
631
00:30:58,700 --> 00:31:02,567
From his account,
it sounds like he may have
caught the creature off-guard,
632
00:31:02,567 --> 00:31:05,333
so I wanna travel by stealth
and see if it's still
in the area.
633
00:31:07,667 --> 00:31:09,100
Sorry to keep harping on this.
634
00:31:09,100 --> 00:31:11,867
Did you set up the
water transport for us again?
635
00:31:11,867 --> 00:31:14,000
Yes, I set up
the water transport again.
636
00:31:14,000 --> 00:31:15,767
[Phil] Is it as fun
as last time?
637
00:31:15,767 --> 00:31:18,867
It is exactly
what we need it to be
638
00:31:18,867 --> 00:31:20,700
considering what we're
trying to do.
639
00:31:20,700 --> 00:31:23,000
-So...
-Okay, now I'm worried.
640
00:31:23,000 --> 00:31:24,467
You should be.
641
00:31:24,467 --> 00:31:26,333
Hope you haven't been
skipping arm day.
642
00:31:28,100 --> 00:31:29,166
Huh.
643
00:31:29,800 --> 00:31:32,567
[Jessica] That's right.
A rowboat.
644
00:31:32,567 --> 00:31:34,367
This is it.
645
00:31:34,367 --> 00:31:37,266
Well, we're not gonna be
covering a lot of ground
in this thing tonight.
646
00:31:37,266 --> 00:31:39,767
So that's true,
but hear me out.
647
00:31:39,767 --> 00:31:42,667
This is the same type of boat
that Roy was using
648
00:31:42,667 --> 00:31:45,200
when he ended up sneaking up
on the monster,
649
00:31:45,200 --> 00:31:46,967
so I kind of just wanna
replicate that.
650
00:31:46,967 --> 00:31:49,567
Okay, so, slow but stealthy.
651
00:31:49,567 --> 00:31:51,867
-I got a thermal drone...
-Yeah.
652
00:31:51,867 --> 00:31:54,900
...um, so we can at least
survey a big area from here.
653
00:31:54,900 --> 00:31:57,967
Okay, I brought out
the game callers
654
00:31:57,967 --> 00:32:01,100
and I got the FLIR,
so that anything
that you see above,
655
00:32:01,100 --> 00:32:03,066
I can see
from maybe the shoreline.
656
00:32:03,066 --> 00:32:04,367
-Sounds good.
-Sweet.
657
00:32:04,367 --> 00:32:06,000
-Okay.
-[Jessica] All right.
658
00:32:06,000 --> 00:32:07,500
Let me get in here.
659
00:32:07,500 --> 00:32:09,900
-[Phil] Watch your
step in there.
-[Jessica] Jesus, Phillip!
660
00:32:09,900 --> 00:32:11,166
[clears throat]
661
00:32:12,200 --> 00:32:13,467
[Jessica] Come on!
662
00:32:13,467 --> 00:32:16,000
You know I'm in trouble
when she uses
my full name, Phillip.
663
00:32:16,000 --> 00:32:17,667
[Jessica] God.
664
00:32:17,667 --> 00:32:19,166
[Phil] Let's launch.
665
00:32:33,300 --> 00:32:37,000
[Phil] You know, maybe
with two people paddling,
like one on each side,
666
00:32:37,000 --> 00:32:38,266
this would get somewhere.
667
00:32:38,266 --> 00:32:40,867
[Jessica] We need someone
to work the flashlight.
668
00:32:40,867 --> 00:32:42,266
[Phil sighs]
669
00:32:44,100 --> 00:32:47,767
[Phil] As the sun sets,
we're making our way down
the Pearl River
670
00:32:47,767 --> 00:32:50,200
scouring the shoreline
where Roy had his sighting,
671
00:32:50,200 --> 00:32:53,333
looking for any pops of color
on the thermal cam.
672
00:32:55,700 --> 00:32:57,800
-Got the FLIR?
-[Phil] Yeah.
673
00:32:57,800 --> 00:32:59,033
[groans]
674
00:32:59,600 --> 00:33:01,333
All right, we're recording.
675
00:33:03,567 --> 00:33:05,100
[Phil] How's
the visibility on that?
676
00:33:05,100 --> 00:33:07,100
[Jessica] Visibility's
pretty good, actually.
677
00:33:07,100 --> 00:33:08,567
I mean,
I'm catching all the trees,
678
00:33:08,567 --> 00:33:10,600
-everything's showing up
cold, though.
-Oh, yeah.
679
00:33:10,600 --> 00:33:11,700
[Jessica] See what
I'm talking about?
680
00:33:11,700 --> 00:33:13,767
If there is a mammal
out there, it would light up.
681
00:33:13,767 --> 00:33:15,266
[Jessica] It would
absolutely light up.
682
00:33:15,266 --> 00:33:17,800
Don't forget, we gotta be
looking close to the ground
683
00:33:17,800 --> 00:33:23,800
'cause it hunkers down,
or up in the trees,
or if it stands up.
684
00:33:23,800 --> 00:33:26,767
-So we gotta be
looking everywhere.
-[Jessica] Pretty much.
685
00:33:26,767 --> 00:33:29,000
[Jessica] Roy said that
the swamp monster sounds like
686
00:33:29,000 --> 00:33:30,667
a mix between
a bear and a lion.
687
00:33:30,667 --> 00:33:33,567
So I created a file
which blends those two growls,
688
00:33:33,567 --> 00:33:36,100
and I'm going to play it
through the game caller.
689
00:33:36,100 --> 00:33:37,867
If there are any monsters
in the area,
690
00:33:37,867 --> 00:33:40,300
and they hear a call
that resembles
one of their own,
691
00:33:40,300 --> 00:33:41,867
maybe it'll come investigate.
692
00:33:41,867 --> 00:33:43,667
-You ready?
-I'm ready.
693
00:33:43,667 --> 00:33:44,867
-Give it a rip.
-[Jessica] Okay.
694
00:33:44,867 --> 00:33:45,800
Here we go.
695
00:33:45,800 --> 00:33:48,233
[growl playing on game caller]
696
00:33:51,567 --> 00:33:53,400
That is a sound
I would not wanna hear
697
00:33:53,400 --> 00:33:54,667
if I were alone
in these swamps.
698
00:33:54,667 --> 00:33:55,600
[Jessica] Mm-mm.
699
00:33:55,600 --> 00:33:59,266
[growl playing on game caller]
700
00:34:06,867 --> 00:34:08,967
[growl playing on game caller]
701
00:34:10,867 --> 00:34:13,166
-[Jessica] Oh! Look at that.
Did you see that?
-[Phil] Oh yeah. What's...
702
00:34:13,166 --> 00:34:15,266
-[Phil] What is it?
-[Jessica] I don't know.
Right over there.
703
00:34:22,367 --> 00:34:25,166
[clicks tongue] Shoot,
I think we lost it.
704
00:34:25,166 --> 00:34:30,266
[Phil] I feel like
now's the perfect time
to fly the thermal drone.
705
00:34:30,266 --> 00:34:32,567
So we can get a birds-eye view
of what's happening
around here.
706
00:34:32,567 --> 00:34:35,266
Maybe something got close
but we're not able
to pick it up on shore,
707
00:34:35,266 --> 00:34:37,634
maybe it's just
into the woods here.
708
00:34:44,467 --> 00:34:46,700
-All right, Jess, I'm up.
-[Jessica] Okay.
709
00:34:46,700 --> 00:34:48,467
-[Phil] That's the
river right here.
-[Jess] Okay.
710
00:34:48,467 --> 00:34:49,800
So the river's
a little bit warmer,
711
00:34:49,800 --> 00:34:52,266
so we're looking for
hot spots in this area.
712
00:34:52,266 --> 00:34:54,000
[Jessica] So what's the green,
just trees?
713
00:34:54,000 --> 00:34:56,400
Yeah, that's trees.
714
00:34:56,400 --> 00:34:59,467
[Jessica] Can you fly over
that area that I got that hit?
715
00:34:59,467 --> 00:35:00,934
Heading in right now.
716
00:35:02,300 --> 00:35:04,333
[Jessica] I'll see if I can
pick it up again.
717
00:35:07,367 --> 00:35:10,500
Hang on, Jess. Whoa, whoa.
718
00:35:10,500 --> 00:35:12,100
-What'd you get?
-[Phil] What is that?
719
00:35:12,100 --> 00:35:13,700
-[Jessica] Oh, right there!
-You see that?
720
00:35:13,700 --> 00:35:15,667
-[Jessica] Yeah.
-[Phil] Whoa, it's moving.
721
00:35:15,667 --> 00:35:17,166
[Jessica] Oh, yeah.
Wait, here's the river...
722
00:35:18,767 --> 00:35:20,300
Is that coming towards us?
723
00:35:20,300 --> 00:35:21,700
[Phil] Oh, my God.
724
00:35:25,567 --> 00:35:29,200
Stories of the rougarou
date all the way back
to medieval France,
725
00:35:29,200 --> 00:35:32,900
where it was called
the loup-garou,
French for werewolf.
726
00:35:32,900 --> 00:35:37,367
Settlers brought the story
to Louisiana where it blended
with local lore
727
00:35:37,367 --> 00:35:39,266
to create
a terrifying monster.
728
00:35:39,266 --> 00:35:46,066
A red-eyed 7-foot tall wolf
with a distinctly awful smell.
729
00:35:46,066 --> 00:35:50,600
Now, there's huge variation
on how you actually become
a rougarou.
730
00:35:50,600 --> 00:35:54,700
Some say Catholics
who skip Lent for seven years
will turn into one.
731
00:35:54,700 --> 00:35:59,667
Others say direct eye-contact
with a rougarou will cause you
to transform into one.
732
00:36:01,300 --> 00:36:04,100
But perhaps the most
interesting superstition
of all
733
00:36:04,100 --> 00:36:07,400
is how you're supposed
to protect yourself from it.
734
00:36:07,400 --> 00:36:10,800
Just lay exactly 13 objects
in front of your home,
735
00:36:10,800 --> 00:36:12,967
and the creature
will never enter.
736
00:36:12,967 --> 00:36:17,300
Why? Because legend
says the beast can't count
above 12.
737
00:36:17,300 --> 00:36:20,867
Yep. You can literally
do a number on the rougarou.
738
00:36:25,867 --> 00:36:28,367
-[Jessica] Look
how close it is.
-[Phil] What is it?
739
00:36:28,367 --> 00:36:30,600
It's a pretty big
heat signature.
740
00:36:30,600 --> 00:36:32,367
But look at the shape.
741
00:36:32,367 --> 00:36:35,166
[Jessica] That looks
how a person would run
from the top-down.
742
00:36:35,166 --> 00:36:40,266
[Phil] It's 3:00 a.m.,
there's no way a person would
be out here other than us.
743
00:36:40,266 --> 00:36:42,667
Now it looks like
it down on all fours.
744
00:36:42,667 --> 00:36:44,066
It's right under this tree.
745
00:36:44,767 --> 00:36:46,467
Where is it? Okay, yeah.
746
00:36:46,467 --> 00:36:48,000
-I think...
-[Jessica] Over there?
747
00:36:48,000 --> 00:36:49,667
[Phil] Yeah.
748
00:36:49,667 --> 00:36:51,266
It's about 50 meters in, Jess.
749
00:36:51,266 --> 00:36:53,767
-You see the big tree
in the back?
-[Jessica] Yeah.
750
00:36:53,767 --> 00:36:55,800
I mean, I'm not picking up
anything from here,
751
00:36:55,800 --> 00:36:57,700
so I think we should dock
and go in there.
752
00:36:57,700 --> 00:37:00,667
Okay. Jess,
you watch the shoreline,
I'm gonna bring this back.
753
00:37:00,667 --> 00:37:01,634
[Jessica] Okay.
754
00:37:03,166 --> 00:37:07,300
All right.
Got it, landed. Done.
755
00:37:07,300 --> 00:37:09,367
[Phil] Gotta be ready
for anything up ahead.
756
00:37:11,000 --> 00:37:12,467
[Jessica] Okay.
757
00:37:15,467 --> 00:37:16,767
Let's go.
758
00:37:21,600 --> 00:37:23,800
[Phil] Watch your step here.
759
00:37:23,800 --> 00:37:25,166
[Jessica] Yeah, I see it.
760
00:37:26,467 --> 00:37:29,634
-[Phil] Oh, God.
It smells terrible.
-[Jessica] It smells so bad.
761
00:37:31,700 --> 00:37:34,467
-This way?
-[Phil] Yeah,
I think it's this way.
762
00:37:36,400 --> 00:37:38,066
[Jessica] Slow down.
763
00:37:39,567 --> 00:37:40,834
[Phil] Wow.
764
00:37:42,200 --> 00:37:46,767
Okay, so, the last
known location I had.
765
00:37:47,867 --> 00:37:51,667
I was flying up ahead,
and it was right under here.
766
00:37:58,200 --> 00:37:59,934
-[Phil] Hold it. Jess--
-[Jessica exclaims]
767
00:38:00,700 --> 00:38:01,867
Oh, look at those!
768
00:38:01,867 --> 00:38:03,467
-[Phil] We got bones.
-[Jessica] Oh,
this is a spine!
769
00:38:03,467 --> 00:38:06,834
-[Phil] Vertebrae, scapula.
-[Jessica] What do you think
that is?
770
00:38:08,200 --> 00:38:10,133
Could the creature
have eaten that?
771
00:38:11,767 --> 00:38:14,100
[Phil] They do look old.
772
00:38:14,100 --> 00:38:16,867
I don't think there's any way
we're gonna be able
to catch up with that thing.
773
00:38:16,867 --> 00:38:19,266
[exhales] We had it. [bleep]
774
00:38:20,667 --> 00:38:24,433
We saw it on the thermal.
It was right back there.
775
00:38:25,867 --> 00:38:28,333
And we know it was here
just minutes ago.
776
00:38:29,767 --> 00:38:31,166
But it's moving quick.
777
00:38:31,166 --> 00:38:32,400
I've got a few hits
on the FLIR,
778
00:38:32,400 --> 00:38:35,100
you've got excellent
drone footage.
779
00:38:35,100 --> 00:38:37,000
We've got that hair
we can get analyzed.
780
00:38:37,000 --> 00:38:41,266
And the camera traps
are still up.
781
00:38:41,266 --> 00:38:44,100
So I say we gather
all that stuff together
and get it analyzed,
782
00:38:44,100 --> 00:38:45,266
try to figure out
what this is.
783
00:38:45,266 --> 00:38:47,600
Because to me,
it all says there is something
784
00:38:47,600 --> 00:38:50,100
that people are
definitely seeing
out in the swamp
785
00:38:50,100 --> 00:38:51,567
that is the Honey Island
Swamp Monster.
786
00:38:51,567 --> 00:38:54,867
To me, the evidence
doesn't stack up to tell me
787
00:38:54,867 --> 00:39:00,567
that there's anything
more extraordinary than
the known nature that is here.
788
00:39:00,567 --> 00:39:05,266
But it also doesn't say
that something extraordinary
couldn't be out here.
789
00:39:05,266 --> 00:39:07,567
We won't know
until it's analyzed
is all I'm saying.
790
00:39:07,567 --> 00:39:09,567
That's true. Oh, you know
what else is true, Jess?
791
00:39:09,567 --> 00:39:11,467
-[Jessica] What?
-You're rowing back.
792
00:39:12,867 --> 00:39:15,367
[Josh] My team dove
into the Louisiana Bayou
793
00:39:15,367 --> 00:39:19,533
intent on solving
the mystery of the
Honey Island Swamp Monster.
794
00:39:20,867 --> 00:39:21,734
[Phil] Let's get out there.
795
00:39:23,000 --> 00:39:24,900
[Josh] Now, as we
analyze the evidence,
796
00:39:24,900 --> 00:39:29,667
we're hoping to separate
fact from fiction in this
decades old mystery.
797
00:39:29,667 --> 00:39:31,200
Look, look.
798
00:39:31,200 --> 00:39:33,500
[Phil] Oh, look at those.
799
00:39:33,500 --> 00:39:36,500
[Josh] First, given the size
and spread of its claw marks,
800
00:39:36,500 --> 00:39:41,567
Jess' animal prints
are likely from an alligator,
not a 7-foot monster.
801
00:39:41,567 --> 00:39:45,467
And our trail cams
captured mostly
wandering raccoons,
802
00:39:45,467 --> 00:39:47,767
along with some
behemoth wild hogs.
803
00:39:47,767 --> 00:39:49,266
[grunting]
804
00:39:49,266 --> 00:39:52,667
[Josh] Whatever spooked
those hogs might have been
a formidable predator.
805
00:39:52,667 --> 00:39:57,367
But a black bear or coyote
seemed like the most
realistic possibilities.
806
00:39:57,367 --> 00:39:59,367
Sounds like somebody's
getting killed.
807
00:39:59,367 --> 00:40:02,266
[Josh] But neither walk
on two feet for long periods,
808
00:40:02,266 --> 00:40:06,066
and Harlan's film clearly
depicts a bipedal creature.
809
00:40:06,066 --> 00:40:09,967
After running a DNA analysis
of the hair Phil recovered
from the swamp...
810
00:40:09,967 --> 00:40:11,100
[Phil] I got a hair.
811
00:40:11,100 --> 00:40:14,467
[Josh] The results came back
100 percent Sus scrofa,
812
00:40:14,467 --> 00:40:18,467
or for those who
don't speak Latin, wild hog.
813
00:40:18,467 --> 00:40:22,600
We know that large primates
could survive in these
sprawling swamps.
814
00:40:22,600 --> 00:40:24,667
[Margaret] It's kind of
subtropical here.
815
00:40:24,667 --> 00:40:26,800
Plenty of water,
plenty of food.
816
00:40:26,800 --> 00:40:29,100
[Josh] But after scouring
area archives,
817
00:40:29,100 --> 00:40:34,467
we didn't find any
circus train derailments near
Honey Island from the 1940s.
818
00:40:34,467 --> 00:40:39,467
Though plenty of other
exotic pets could very well
have escaped in recent years.
819
00:40:41,000 --> 00:40:43,667
[Jessica] Oh! Look at that.
Did you see that?
820
00:40:43,667 --> 00:40:46,467
[Josh] Could the figure
we caught lurking
in the underbrush
821
00:40:46,467 --> 00:40:48,367
be the Honey Island
Swamp Monster?
822
00:40:48,367 --> 00:40:49,767
-There it is. Yeah!
-Oh!
823
00:40:49,767 --> 00:40:51,500
-It's moving. It's moving.
-[Jessica] Oh, yeah.
824
00:40:51,500 --> 00:40:53,166
[Josh] Even with
this substantial footage,
825
00:40:53,166 --> 00:40:56,767
a lack of any
physical evidence
muddies the waters,
826
00:40:56,767 --> 00:41:00,567
making it impossible
to determine whether
this is a known animal
827
00:41:00,567 --> 00:41:02,900
or perhaps something
more monstrous.
828
00:41:02,900 --> 00:41:07,000
And the fact that he never
released or even discussed
with his family
829
00:41:07,000 --> 00:41:09,767
this first-hand evidence
depicting the very animal
830
00:41:09,767 --> 00:41:13,900
he spent
a decade searching for
is inconceivable.
831
00:41:13,900 --> 00:41:17,266
It suggests that he may
have had a reason
to not show it at all.
832
00:41:17,266 --> 00:41:19,266
Until more evidence
comes to light,
833
00:41:19,266 --> 00:41:22,066
there's no way to prove
that the many wild sightings
834
00:41:22,066 --> 00:41:25,667
are anything more
than the stuff
of Louisiana legends.
835
00:41:25,667 --> 00:41:27,767
For more information
on Expedition X,
836
00:41:27,767 --> 00:41:30,867
head to
discovery.com/ExpeditionX.