1 00:00:04,005 --> 00:00:06,563 Tonight, the world's most enduring 2 00:00:06,582 --> 00:00:08,582 Deep-sea monster mystery. 3 00:00:08,734 --> 00:00:11,235 I saw the head, the neck, and the huge body 4 00:00:11,328 --> 00:00:13,086 Which I'd say was about 30 feet long. 5 00:00:13,180 --> 00:00:16,740 Heidi hollis: We are talking about thousands of sightings, 6 00:00:16,833 --> 00:00:18,684 And that's a conservative estimate. 7 00:00:18,835 --> 00:00:23,263 It could be tens of thousands over the course of 1,500 years. 8 00:00:23,357 --> 00:00:26,917 Despite so many sightings, the beast remains unidentified. 9 00:00:27,010 --> 00:00:29,436 There are millions of species 10 00:00:29,588 --> 00:00:31,605 That we haven't found or classified yet. 11 00:00:31,699 --> 00:00:34,441 There's stuff out there that we don't know anything about. 12 00:00:34,535 --> 00:00:36,017 As far as we can tell, 13 00:00:36,037 --> 00:00:38,120 Nobody has ever captured a loch ness monster. 14 00:00:39,856 --> 00:00:41,856 Now, we'll explore the top theories 15 00:00:41,876 --> 00:00:43,667 Surrounding this elusive creature. 16 00:00:45,529 --> 00:00:47,788 Hey, maybe it's a plesiosaur. 17 00:00:47,882 --> 00:00:49,439 Kristyn plancarte: What about the thing that washed up 18 00:00:49,458 --> 00:00:52,459 In stronsay, or the similar lake monster in sweden? 19 00:00:52,553 --> 00:00:54,553 Jonathan bird: There are tons of eels in loch ness. 20 00:00:54,780 --> 00:00:59,040 Is it possible that there is a gigantic eel? 21 00:00:59,060 --> 00:01:01,226 Dustin growick: Many people still believe it's real. 22 00:01:01,453 --> 00:01:03,136 Does the loch ness monster exist? 23 00:01:03,230 --> 00:01:05,898 And if so, what is it? 24 00:01:06,125 --> 00:01:08,317 [music] 25 00:01:22,416 --> 00:01:27,160 Laurence: Northern scotland, August, 564 a.D. 26 00:01:27,313 --> 00:01:30,997 According to legend, an irish monk named columba 27 00:01:31,092 --> 00:01:33,926 Is attempting to cross the river ness with a group 28 00:01:34,077 --> 00:01:37,671 When they stumble upon two men burying a friend. 29 00:01:37,765 --> 00:01:40,081 This man had just been swimming when he was attacked 30 00:01:40,175 --> 00:01:42,326 By an enormous water beast. 31 00:01:42,419 --> 00:01:44,752 Dustin: You would think that after that exchange 32 00:01:44,847 --> 00:01:47,589 The monks would try to find a different river crossing. 33 00:01:47,608 --> 00:01:49,666 But columba stays, undeterred. 34 00:01:49,685 --> 00:01:51,685 Maybe he didn't believe the locals, 35 00:01:51,837 --> 00:01:53,737 Or he just thought that his faith will protect him. 36 00:01:56,024 --> 00:01:57,765 Zak martellucci: He orders another monk 37 00:01:57,785 --> 00:01:59,451 To swim across and retrieve a small boat. 38 00:02:01,438 --> 00:02:03,513 As this monk gets about halfway across, 39 00:02:03,607 --> 00:02:05,791 This creature suddenly appears out of the water, 40 00:02:05,942 --> 00:02:07,543 Gives a giant, bellowing roar. 41 00:02:11,023 --> 00:02:14,691 Laurence: Everyone panics, with the exception of columba. 42 00:02:14,784 --> 00:02:17,118 He steps right up to the edge of the bank, 43 00:02:17,212 --> 00:02:19,287 Makes the sign of the cross, and demands the monster 44 00:02:19,381 --> 00:02:21,031 Leave the man alone. 45 00:02:21,124 --> 00:02:24,201 Laurence: The creature supposedly obeys. 46 00:02:24,294 --> 00:02:25,960 To the witnesses on shore, 47 00:02:25,980 --> 00:02:28,313 It is nothing short of a miracle. 48 00:02:28,540 --> 00:02:30,798 Karen: Columba eventually achieves sainthood, 49 00:02:30,893 --> 00:02:33,134 And this tale is supporting evidence 50 00:02:33,228 --> 00:02:35,896 For his faith and abilities. 51 00:02:36,048 --> 00:02:37,573 And this story is retold for years to come. 52 00:02:39,234 --> 00:02:41,234 Laurence: Debate continues for centuries. 53 00:02:41,328 --> 00:02:44,413 What could this mysterious creature actually be? 54 00:02:46,558 --> 00:02:48,650 In columba's time, and continuing 55 00:02:48,669 --> 00:02:51,336 For several centuries after, through the middle ages, 56 00:02:51,488 --> 00:02:54,414 Dragons are still believed to be real. 57 00:02:54,508 --> 00:02:56,800 And so, many people think this is some sort of sea dragon. 58 00:02:58,253 --> 00:03:01,571 But nobody has any concrete evidence of what it is, 59 00:03:01,590 --> 00:03:03,849 Or if it even truly exists. 60 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:05,517 It remains an essentially local legend 61 00:03:05,744 --> 00:03:07,502 For quite some time. 62 00:03:07,596 --> 00:03:09,837 Laurence: Then, in the 20th century, 63 00:03:09,857 --> 00:03:12,006 New visitors flock to the highlands, 64 00:03:12,100 --> 00:03:14,008 Thanks to one remarkable invention-- 65 00:03:14,102 --> 00:03:16,361 The automobile. 66 00:03:16,588 --> 00:03:18,939 By the early 1930s, there's a road built 67 00:03:19,033 --> 00:03:21,516 Along the shore of loch ness. 68 00:03:21,535 --> 00:03:24,094 Heidi: One afternoon in 1931, 69 00:03:24,112 --> 00:03:26,763 A local couple were driving along there 70 00:03:26,856 --> 00:03:30,542 When they spotted a large animal. 71 00:03:30,769 --> 00:03:34,046 It was rolling and plunging on the surface of loch ness. 72 00:03:35,699 --> 00:03:37,123 Immediately they report their experience 73 00:03:37,276 --> 00:03:39,109 To the local papers. 74 00:03:39,127 --> 00:03:41,127 When published, their story 75 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:44,281 Uses the now-famous key word, "monster." 76 00:03:44,374 --> 00:03:46,541 Laurence: The loch ness monster-- 77 00:03:46,635 --> 00:03:49,544 A name that soon spreads far and wide. 78 00:03:49,638 --> 00:03:51,212 Heidi: Now all of a sudden, 79 00:03:51,306 --> 00:03:53,457 The tourists are not coming 80 00:03:53,550 --> 00:03:55,292 To see the beautiful lake and the rolling hills. 81 00:03:55,310 --> 00:03:57,402 They are coming to see the monster, 82 00:03:57,629 --> 00:04:00,530 Who is soon lovingly called "nessie." 83 00:04:02,392 --> 00:04:04,559 And guess what? They are spotting it, all right. 84 00:04:04,653 --> 00:04:07,729 They are spotting it in droves. 85 00:04:07,823 --> 00:04:10,640 Laurence: Soon, there are more eyewitness accounts of nessie, 86 00:04:10,659 --> 00:04:12,476 And they seem convincing. 87 00:04:12,494 --> 00:04:15,087 I saw a-- a large object. 88 00:04:15,238 --> 00:04:17,497 It came right out of the water in front of me. 89 00:04:17,591 --> 00:04:20,742 I was wading in the river fishing with-- fly-fishing. 90 00:04:20,761 --> 00:04:24,170 The best view I ever had was the very first in 1934. 91 00:04:24,323 --> 00:04:26,823 I saw the head, the neck, and the huge body 92 00:04:26,916 --> 00:04:29,101 Which I'd say was about 30 feet long. 93 00:04:29,328 --> 00:04:32,329 Laurence: Each new glimpse brings fresh seekers, 94 00:04:32,347 --> 00:04:34,681 All with the latest technology. 95 00:04:34,833 --> 00:04:36,090 Zak: We shouldn't have to wait long 96 00:04:36,184 --> 00:04:38,018 Before somebody captures it on film, 97 00:04:38,170 --> 00:04:40,020 And then we're bound to know what it is. 98 00:04:40,114 --> 00:04:44,766 Laurence: In April of 1934, that finally happens, 99 00:04:44,860 --> 00:04:47,769 And it becomes front page news. 100 00:04:47,788 --> 00:04:51,531 A gynecologist from london named robert kenneth wilson 101 00:04:51,625 --> 00:04:54,184 Went on a fishing trip over there to northern scotland 102 00:04:54,277 --> 00:04:55,961 When he decided to go for a walk. 103 00:04:56,188 --> 00:04:58,613 During his stroll, that's when he spotted something 104 00:04:58,632 --> 00:05:00,357 Unusual in the water. 105 00:05:00,375 --> 00:05:02,450 Luckily, he had his camera, and he snapped a picture. 106 00:05:02,469 --> 00:05:04,636 And there we have it, 107 00:05:04,863 --> 00:05:07,264 Probably the first photograph of nessie. 108 00:05:09,034 --> 00:05:11,217 Laurence: Known as "the surgeon's photo," 109 00:05:11,312 --> 00:05:13,812 The image causes quite a stir. 110 00:05:13,963 --> 00:05:15,555 Karen: Shows a silhouetted creature 111 00:05:15,707 --> 00:05:18,892 With a long, slender neck, a small head, 112 00:05:18,986 --> 00:05:22,228 And a large body emerging slightly above the waterline. 113 00:05:22,323 --> 00:05:23,713 Dustin: This is amazing. 114 00:05:23,732 --> 00:05:25,306 We finally have some visual evidence 115 00:05:25,326 --> 00:05:27,308 To back up these eyewitness accounts. 116 00:05:27,402 --> 00:05:29,219 And not only that, some experts 117 00:05:29,237 --> 00:05:31,813 Think they can identify this animal. 118 00:05:31,832 --> 00:05:34,482 Laurence: The creature's shape also strikes a chord 119 00:05:34,501 --> 00:05:36,409 With british paleontologists. 120 00:05:36,562 --> 00:05:39,338 So, what particular species do you think it is? 121 00:05:39,565 --> 00:05:43,416 The evidence as I interpret it all fits-- 122 00:05:43,510 --> 00:05:45,251 And I know this is a fantastic statement-- 123 00:05:45,346 --> 00:05:47,012 But this all fits plesiosaur. 124 00:05:51,685 --> 00:05:53,668 Laurence: Plesiosaurs are a marine reptile 125 00:05:53,687 --> 00:05:55,929 Dating back millions of years. 126 00:05:56,081 --> 00:05:59,099 Their fossils were first discovered in 1823 127 00:05:59,193 --> 00:06:01,935 During a dig in England. 128 00:06:02,087 --> 00:06:06,198 Heidi: Fossil hunter mary anning actually uncovered 129 00:06:06,425 --> 00:06:11,703 A nearly complete skeleton of a previously unknown species. 130 00:06:11,855 --> 00:06:15,599 It is given the name plesiosaurus, 131 00:06:15,692 --> 00:06:18,435 Meaning "near to reptile." 132 00:06:18,453 --> 00:06:21,028 Plesiosaur fossils have been found around the world, 133 00:06:21,123 --> 00:06:24,532 But a major cluster of them comes from here in scotland. 134 00:06:24,551 --> 00:06:28,035 We're talking about hundreds of specimens. 135 00:06:28,130 --> 00:06:32,057 This was, at least at one time, this creature's main habitat. 136 00:06:32,284 --> 00:06:34,117 Karen: These fossils show that the plesiosaur 137 00:06:34,210 --> 00:06:36,395 Was an enormous water-dwelling creature, 138 00:06:36,546 --> 00:06:38,563 Over 20 feet long. 139 00:06:38,790 --> 00:06:41,808 They had broad, flat bodies with short tails. 140 00:06:41,960 --> 00:06:44,310 Their limbs had evolved into four long flippers 141 00:06:44,405 --> 00:06:46,980 That propelled them through the water in a flying motion. 142 00:06:47,074 --> 00:06:50,133 Heidi: They breathe air, and so they would constantly 143 00:06:50,152 --> 00:06:52,969 Have to come to the surface for oxygen. 144 00:06:53,062 --> 00:06:56,823 Most notably, they had long thin necks. 145 00:06:56,917 --> 00:07:00,493 The surgeon's photograph happens to fit that to a t. 146 00:07:00,646 --> 00:07:04,831 And coincidentally, so do most of the witness statements. 147 00:07:04,983 --> 00:07:08,409 Laurence: Though some believe nessie could be a plesiosaur, 148 00:07:08,429 --> 00:07:11,838 The theory has one major flaw. 149 00:07:11,932 --> 00:07:13,823 Dustin: Scientists believe that a mass extinction event 150 00:07:13,842 --> 00:07:16,493 About 65 and a half million years ago 151 00:07:16,511 --> 00:07:19,329 Killed about 75% of all species on earth, 152 00:07:19,422 --> 00:07:21,773 Including dinosaurs and plesiosaurs. 153 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:24,517 A plesiosaur should not be inhabiting these waters today, 154 00:07:24,611 --> 00:07:26,427 In saint columba's time, 155 00:07:26,521 --> 00:07:28,262 Or any time during human existence. 156 00:07:28,356 --> 00:07:30,023 They're supposed to be extinct. 157 00:07:30,117 --> 00:07:33,843 Laurence: But is it possible the plesiosaur somehow survived? 158 00:07:33,937 --> 00:07:37,030 When we say that 75% of the creatures 159 00:07:37,182 --> 00:07:39,866 Did not survive the last mass extinction event, 160 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:42,794 That means that 25% did survive. 161 00:07:42,946 --> 00:07:46,781 So, platypuses, turtles, crocodiles-- 162 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:49,526 All kinds of animals actually did survive that event. 163 00:07:49,619 --> 00:07:51,878 Laurence: Scientists point to a fish 164 00:07:51,972 --> 00:07:55,198 Long thought to be extinct as an example-- 165 00:07:55,291 --> 00:07:58,459 The coelacanth, discovered alive in 1938 166 00:07:58,479 --> 00:08:00,812 In south africa. 167 00:08:00,964 --> 00:08:02,630 Karen: The entire scientific community believes 168 00:08:02,649 --> 00:08:05,709 That the coelacanth dies off 66 million years ago. 169 00:08:05,802 --> 00:08:07,969 There are no fossils after that. 170 00:08:08,063 --> 00:08:09,779 It's the same time as the plesiosaur. 171 00:08:11,383 --> 00:08:13,492 If the coelacanth can still be swimming around out there, 172 00:08:13,719 --> 00:08:16,052 What's to say that a small number of plesiosaurs 173 00:08:16,071 --> 00:08:18,497 Couldn't have somehow avoided extinction, too? 174 00:08:18,724 --> 00:08:21,241 Laurence: But to many, the plesiosaur theory 175 00:08:21,335 --> 00:08:23,168 Remains too far-fetched. 176 00:08:23,395 --> 00:08:24,911 Dustin: The fact that they breathe air 177 00:08:25,005 --> 00:08:27,063 Could account for the animal being sighted at the surface, 178 00:08:27,082 --> 00:08:28,507 But I actually think that's evidence 179 00:08:28,658 --> 00:08:30,583 Against nessie being a plesiosaur, 180 00:08:30,677 --> 00:08:32,844 'cause it would have to surface all the time. 181 00:08:32,996 --> 00:08:36,014 If that were the case, we'd have so many more photos and videos. 182 00:08:36,241 --> 00:08:37,832 One would have probably already been caught 183 00:08:37,851 --> 00:08:39,759 And put in a zoo by now. 184 00:08:39,853 --> 00:08:44,264 Plus a creature as big as a 20-foot-long plesiosaurus 185 00:08:44,416 --> 00:08:47,150 Would need a lot of food to sustain itself. 186 00:08:48,862 --> 00:08:50,937 Zak: There's just not enough of a food source 187 00:08:51,031 --> 00:08:53,757 For a massive beast, let alone a community of them, 188 00:08:53,775 --> 00:08:55,942 Which there would have to be in order for this species 189 00:08:56,036 --> 00:08:58,111 To survive this long. 190 00:08:58,205 --> 00:09:01,598 Heidi: And honestly, the plesiosaur theory 191 00:09:01,691 --> 00:09:04,117 Only hangs on the one photograph. 192 00:09:04,269 --> 00:09:06,603 And before the surgeon's photo is published, 193 00:09:06,621 --> 00:09:08,547 Absolutely nobody thinks it's a plesiosaur. 194 00:09:15,297 --> 00:09:17,947 Laurene: 1934-- the first photo 195 00:09:18,041 --> 00:09:19,724 Of the supposed loch ness monster 196 00:09:19,876 --> 00:09:23,044 Incites public frenzy and a torrent of tourists 197 00:09:23,138 --> 00:09:24,788 Looking for nessie. 198 00:09:24,881 --> 00:09:26,973 But not everyone believes the image 199 00:09:27,125 --> 00:09:30,460 Known as "the surgeon's photo" is authentic. 200 00:09:30,478 --> 00:09:33,463 Dustin: Dr. R. Kenneth wilson, who submits this photo 201 00:09:33,481 --> 00:09:35,890 To the daily mail, claims that it's real, 202 00:09:35,909 --> 00:09:38,651 But others say "hold on, this is an elephant's trunk 203 00:09:38,745 --> 00:09:40,895 "rising out of the water, or maybe it's a dolphin's fin, 204 00:09:40,989 --> 00:09:43,081 Or something else." 205 00:09:43,308 --> 00:09:45,733 Karen: What we do know is that the photo that's published 206 00:09:45,827 --> 00:09:48,311 Is substantially cropped and zoomed in, 207 00:09:48,330 --> 00:09:50,422 Which blurs the shape of the creature a bit 208 00:09:50,649 --> 00:09:53,407 And skews any sense of scale or perspective. 209 00:09:53,427 --> 00:09:55,318 But when some experts go back and examine 210 00:09:55,411 --> 00:09:57,320 The original, uncropped photo, 211 00:09:57,413 --> 00:09:59,413 They see something entirely different. 212 00:09:59,507 --> 00:10:01,248 Seeing the uncropped version 213 00:10:01,343 --> 00:10:03,509 Changes their perspective completely. 214 00:10:03,604 --> 00:10:06,496 They believe that whatever this beast is in the water 215 00:10:06,589 --> 00:10:08,832 Isn't anywhere near 20 feet long. 216 00:10:08,850 --> 00:10:12,001 It's maybe three feet long, at the most. 217 00:10:12,095 --> 00:10:15,447 Laurence: Is it possible that the most famous photo of nessie 218 00:10:15,674 --> 00:10:16,948 Is somehow doctored? 219 00:10:20,195 --> 00:10:22,512 Heidi: People question the authenticity 220 00:10:22,530 --> 00:10:25,606 The moment this photo comes out in 1934. 221 00:10:25,626 --> 00:10:29,628 But many people still believe this thing is real. 222 00:10:29,855 --> 00:10:32,613 And there is no definitive proof otherwise. 223 00:10:32,633 --> 00:10:36,709 Then, in 1994, the photo's whole provenance 224 00:10:36,803 --> 00:10:39,863 Comes into question, thanks to a deathbed confession 225 00:10:39,956 --> 00:10:42,548 By a man named christian spurling. 226 00:10:42,643 --> 00:10:45,702 He claims that in 1933, his stepfather was hired 227 00:10:45,795 --> 00:10:47,720 By the daily mail to find evidence 228 00:10:47,873 --> 00:10:49,706 Of the loch ness monster. 229 00:10:49,724 --> 00:10:51,983 Spurling is the stepson of a big-game hunter 230 00:10:52,210 --> 00:10:55,712 And filmmaker named marmaduke "duke" wetherell. 231 00:10:55,730 --> 00:10:58,139 Karen: So, duke goes on this expedition to scotland, 232 00:10:58,233 --> 00:11:00,066 And it doesn't take him long to find 233 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:03,386 These really large animal tracks near the banks of the loch. 234 00:11:03,405 --> 00:11:05,238 Judging from the size of the footprints, 235 00:11:05,332 --> 00:11:08,416 Duke estimates the animal to be at least 20 feet long. 236 00:11:09,836 --> 00:11:11,819 Laurence: Wetherell sends plaster casts of the tracks 237 00:11:11,913 --> 00:11:14,080 To a london museum. 238 00:11:14,174 --> 00:11:17,250 When the results came back, they find that the tracks 239 00:11:17,402 --> 00:11:21,680 Didn't come from a monster, but they came from a hippo. 240 00:11:23,925 --> 00:11:26,092 It sounds unusual because we all know 241 00:11:26,244 --> 00:11:29,095 That hippos do not come from that area. 242 00:11:29,189 --> 00:11:33,174 But back then, hippo's feet were used as umbrella holders 243 00:11:33,193 --> 00:11:36,194 And ashtrays, so it wasn't that uncommon. 244 00:11:37,680 --> 00:11:39,439 Dustin: So, one of two things is happening here. 245 00:11:39,533 --> 00:11:42,942 Either duke faked the tracks, or someone was fooling him. 246 00:11:43,036 --> 00:11:45,261 The daily mail is not happy about either of these options, 247 00:11:45,280 --> 00:11:46,788 So the paper publicly ridicules him. 248 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:50,600 Laurence: According to spurling's confession, 249 00:11:50,618 --> 00:11:54,287 Wetherell concocts a scheme to save his reputation. 250 00:11:54,381 --> 00:11:57,716 Duke goes to his stepson, who happens to be a model-maker, 251 00:11:57,867 --> 00:11:59,792 And asks him to fabricate something 252 00:11:59,945 --> 00:12:02,536 That looks like the eyewitness descriptions of the beast. 253 00:12:02,556 --> 00:12:05,949 So, using plastic, wood, and a toy submarine, 254 00:12:05,967 --> 00:12:07,617 They create this model of a creature 255 00:12:07,710 --> 00:12:10,970 With a long neck and small head. 256 00:12:11,122 --> 00:12:14,048 Heidi: And then, duke goes to the loch with his other son 257 00:12:14,142 --> 00:12:17,068 And creates that iconic photograph. 258 00:12:17,220 --> 00:12:19,979 But in reality, it's just a picture of the model 259 00:12:20,073 --> 00:12:21,364 Floating in the water. 260 00:12:22,984 --> 00:12:24,968 Laurence: Now, wetherell just needs a way 261 00:12:24,986 --> 00:12:26,894 To make the photo public. 262 00:12:26,913 --> 00:12:28,805 The perfect solution? 263 00:12:28,898 --> 00:12:32,141 The surgeon, dr. R. Kenneth wilson. 264 00:12:32,235 --> 00:12:34,586 Duke realizes the best way he can pull this off 265 00:12:34,737 --> 00:12:36,479 Is if he finds someone trustworthy 266 00:12:36,572 --> 00:12:38,147 Who can claim the photo as their own. 267 00:12:38,241 --> 00:12:40,666 So, he passes the photo on to wilson, 268 00:12:40,761 --> 00:12:44,245 The very same surgeon who publicizes the infamous photo. 269 00:12:44,264 --> 00:12:46,598 Heidi: The surgeon's photo is really a game-changer. 270 00:12:46,825 --> 00:12:49,750 It unleashes a torrent of tourism 271 00:12:49,770 --> 00:12:52,495 That still is going on to this day. 272 00:12:53,923 --> 00:12:56,499 Laurence: Over the years, there are more fake photos of nessie, 273 00:12:56,592 --> 00:12:58,276 All of them eventually debunked. 274 00:13:00,188 --> 00:13:03,006 Then, in 2016, there's suddenly new evidence 275 00:13:03,024 --> 00:13:06,342 That suggests the monster could be real. 276 00:13:06,361 --> 00:13:08,528 Dustin: Researchers from kongsberg maritime 277 00:13:08,680 --> 00:13:10,938 Send an underwater drone deep into the loch 278 00:13:10,957 --> 00:13:13,625 To search for any evidence of the monster. 279 00:13:13,776 --> 00:13:16,777 And surprisingly, the sonar returns images 280 00:13:16,871 --> 00:13:19,631 Of something that has the shape of the monster's head and neck. 281 00:13:21,209 --> 00:13:22,967 At first, this is big news. 282 00:13:24,620 --> 00:13:28,031 Laurence: Until it's determined to be a prop from a movie. 283 00:13:28,124 --> 00:13:30,124 Dustin: In 1969, a sherlock holmes movie 284 00:13:30,143 --> 00:13:32,293 Was shot at the loch. 285 00:13:32,312 --> 00:13:34,145 In the movie, there's a scene where the loch ness monster 286 00:13:34,372 --> 00:13:36,722 Attacks the heroes. 287 00:13:36,817 --> 00:13:38,465 But during the filming, director billy wilder 288 00:13:38,485 --> 00:13:40,301 Takes a look at the monster prop 289 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:42,562 And decides he does not like the humps on the back. 290 00:13:42,656 --> 00:13:45,882 So, they remove the humps, and accidentally cause the prop 291 00:13:45,975 --> 00:13:48,475 To sink to the bottom of the loch. 292 00:13:48,495 --> 00:13:50,553 Heidi: There's a lot of fakery 293 00:13:50,646 --> 00:13:52,664 Surrounding the loch ness monster. 294 00:13:52,815 --> 00:13:55,725 People love getting their 15 minutes of fame from this. 295 00:13:55,818 --> 00:13:59,062 Every nessie sighting gets attention, 296 00:13:59,155 --> 00:14:01,914 And people love getting attention. 297 00:14:02,008 --> 00:14:04,175 Laurence: But the sheer volume of sightings throughout time 298 00:14:04,327 --> 00:14:07,904 Convince many that nessie is real. 299 00:14:07,922 --> 00:14:10,256 We are talking about thousands of sightings, 300 00:14:10,408 --> 00:14:12,684 And that's a conservative estimate. 301 00:14:12,835 --> 00:14:16,929 It could be tens of thousands, over the course of 1,500 years. 302 00:14:17,082 --> 00:14:19,673 Dustin: Before cameras, before photoshop, 303 00:14:19,693 --> 00:14:21,918 Before robotic toy submarines. 304 00:14:21,936 --> 00:14:23,936 Sure, a few dozen sightings may be fake. 305 00:14:24,030 --> 00:14:25,679 But all of them? 306 00:14:25,773 --> 00:14:27,681 [clicks tongue] no way. 307 00:14:27,701 --> 00:14:30,259 Laurence: A key piece of evidence for believers-- 308 00:14:30,278 --> 00:14:34,688 A discovery in 1808 on the scottish island of stronsay, 309 00:14:34,708 --> 00:14:38,376 Just 120 miles from loch ness. 310 00:14:38,603 --> 00:14:41,695 According to eyewitnesses, the corpse of a strange animal 311 00:14:41,789 --> 00:14:45,441 Washes up on the beach and a crowd gathers to see it. 312 00:14:45,534 --> 00:14:47,777 It's the rotting carcass of an enormous, 313 00:14:47,870 --> 00:14:49,888 Unidentified sea beast, and the locals 314 00:14:50,115 --> 00:14:52,539 Have never seen anything like this. 315 00:14:52,559 --> 00:14:55,059 Eyewitnesses call it the "stronsay beast," 316 00:14:55,211 --> 00:14:57,562 And describe it as having a serpentine-like body 317 00:14:57,713 --> 00:15:01,215 With a long neck and six limbs that resemble paws. 318 00:15:01,234 --> 00:15:03,309 They say its head is small like a sheep's, 319 00:15:03,461 --> 00:15:06,479 And its eyes are similar to a seal's, but bigger. 320 00:15:06,631 --> 00:15:08,555 It has some short hairs around its head and neck, 321 00:15:08,575 --> 00:15:10,224 And skin that is rough to the touch 322 00:15:10,243 --> 00:15:11,817 And grayish in color. 323 00:15:11,970 --> 00:15:14,153 Zak: The measurements they take show how gigantic 324 00:15:14,305 --> 00:15:15,972 This thing actually is. 325 00:15:16,065 --> 00:15:18,491 It's 55 feet long, with its neck alone 326 00:15:18,585 --> 00:15:20,919 Measuring 10 feet. 327 00:15:21,146 --> 00:15:22,754 Laurence: Authorities document the creature 328 00:15:22,905 --> 00:15:25,314 And take sworn witness statements. 329 00:15:25,333 --> 00:15:28,334 This is the early 19th century, so they can't photograph it. 330 00:15:28,428 --> 00:15:30,670 But they also know the story won't be believed, 331 00:15:30,822 --> 00:15:32,822 So they need to prove it somehow. 332 00:15:32,915 --> 00:15:34,840 So, they bring all the eyewitnesses 333 00:15:34,935 --> 00:15:37,769 To the capital where they can swear before a magistrate 334 00:15:37,996 --> 00:15:39,662 That what they saw is the truth. 335 00:15:39,681 --> 00:15:41,664 We still have these records, 336 00:15:41,683 --> 00:15:43,441 Along with drawings that they made. 337 00:15:43,668 --> 00:15:45,835 Karen: The carcass is quickly decomposing, 338 00:15:45,853 --> 00:15:47,761 And they lack the right equipment to transport 339 00:15:47,781 --> 00:15:49,839 Or preserve this massive animal, 340 00:15:49,857 --> 00:15:52,116 But they do take samples of the specimen. 341 00:15:52,343 --> 00:15:54,118 The skull is saved and sent to london 342 00:15:54,345 --> 00:15:57,455 For further examination, but unfortunately, 343 00:15:57,682 --> 00:15:59,374 It is destroyed during the blitz of world war ii. 344 00:16:01,519 --> 00:16:02,868 The vertebrae, on the other hand, 345 00:16:02,963 --> 00:16:04,963 Are sent to leading anatomist john barclay 346 00:16:05,190 --> 00:16:08,282 From edinburgh's most successful school of anatomy. 347 00:16:08,301 --> 00:16:10,468 He concludes that this is unlike any other creature 348 00:16:10,695 --> 00:16:13,212 He's ever seen, opening the door to the possibility 349 00:16:13,364 --> 00:16:15,456 That this is a newfound species. 350 00:16:15,475 --> 00:16:17,475 Heidi: The connection isn't initially made 351 00:16:17,702 --> 00:16:20,979 To the loch ness monster, because it's not the 1930s yet, 352 00:16:21,206 --> 00:16:23,982 So nessie fever has not swept the nation. 353 00:16:24,209 --> 00:16:26,559 The legendary creature is not famous yet. 354 00:16:26,653 --> 00:16:30,154 But once it becomes famous, theorists realize, 355 00:16:30,381 --> 00:16:33,640 "hold on, this might be the same animal." 356 00:16:33,735 --> 00:16:36,736 Laurence: The fact that stronsay is just 120 miles from loch ness 357 00:16:36,830 --> 00:16:39,163 Earns extra attention. 358 00:16:39,390 --> 00:16:40,906 And the physical description of the two creatures 359 00:16:41,001 --> 00:16:43,242 Is strikingly similar. 360 00:16:43,336 --> 00:16:45,169 Gray skin, long neck, 361 00:16:45,396 --> 00:16:48,080 Some kind of flipper-like appendages, small head. 362 00:16:48,174 --> 00:16:51,658 The only real major difference I would say is the size. 363 00:16:51,678 --> 00:16:54,403 The stronsay beast according to those eyewitnesses 364 00:16:54,422 --> 00:16:57,240 Is much larger than anyone has ever claimed 365 00:16:57,258 --> 00:17:00,000 The loch ness monster to be-- nearly twice the size. 366 00:17:00,020 --> 00:17:02,669 That doesn't necessarily rule out the same species though. 367 00:17:02,764 --> 00:17:05,672 Perhaps nessie is just smaller. 368 00:17:05,692 --> 00:17:08,267 Dustin: Or, there's an even more compelling idea. 369 00:17:08,419 --> 00:17:09,843 What if the creature in loch ness 370 00:17:09,863 --> 00:17:11,529 Is a younger specimen? 371 00:17:11,756 --> 00:17:13,514 What if the loch is where these animals breed? 372 00:17:13,533 --> 00:17:15,199 It certainly happens. 373 00:17:15,426 --> 00:17:17,368 Salmon swim in all the way from the north sea 374 00:17:17,595 --> 00:17:19,612 And breed in the river ness and the loch. 375 00:17:19,706 --> 00:17:21,931 It's an annual event. 376 00:17:21,949 --> 00:17:26,102 Laurence: This may also explain the inconsistency of sightings. 377 00:17:26,195 --> 00:17:28,046 Zak: If that's the case, the animal breeds 378 00:17:28,273 --> 00:17:29,772 And raises its young in the loch, 379 00:17:29,791 --> 00:17:32,032 But then it migrates out into the sea. 380 00:17:32,052 --> 00:17:34,368 So, the reason people don't see it all that often 381 00:17:34,387 --> 00:17:36,295 Is because it doesn't live in loch ness full time. 382 00:17:36,447 --> 00:17:37,947 Kristyn: It's possible. 383 00:17:37,965 --> 00:17:40,541 Loch ness and stronsay are actually connected by water. 384 00:17:40,560 --> 00:17:43,286 Both the caledonian canal and the river ness 385 00:17:43,379 --> 00:17:45,212 Connect the loch to rosemarkie bay, 386 00:17:45,231 --> 00:17:47,714 And ultimately the north sea. 387 00:17:47,734 --> 00:17:50,234 So, it's entirely possible that whatever washed up 388 00:17:50,461 --> 00:17:53,462 On the isle of stronsay is the same species 389 00:17:53,481 --> 00:17:54,739 As the loch ness monster. 390 00:17:59,228 --> 00:18:01,987 Laurence: If the loch ness monster exists, 391 00:18:02,140 --> 00:18:05,399 The waters it lives in remain largely unexplored. 392 00:18:05,418 --> 00:18:07,752 But as marine science evolves, 393 00:18:07,979 --> 00:18:11,089 New theories emerge about what nessie might be. 394 00:18:11,240 --> 00:18:13,833 Over time, modern technology has allowed scientists 395 00:18:13,927 --> 00:18:17,002 To dive deeper into bodies of water than ever before. 396 00:18:17,155 --> 00:18:19,597 And the diversity of life there is amazing. 397 00:18:19,824 --> 00:18:21,933 Zak: And the more species we discover, 398 00:18:22,084 --> 00:18:24,585 The more we have to compare to the loch ness monster 399 00:18:24,679 --> 00:18:25,937 To see if they're a match. 400 00:18:26,164 --> 00:18:27,438 Laurence: And that approach has yielded 401 00:18:27,665 --> 00:18:29,849 One particularly compelling candidate. 402 00:18:29,943 --> 00:18:33,686 In 2012, biologist jeremy wade publicizes a theory 403 00:18:33,838 --> 00:18:35,613 That some scientists have held for years 404 00:18:35,840 --> 00:18:38,265 On the origins of the loch ness legend. 405 00:18:38,359 --> 00:18:41,619 Nessie may in fact be a creature that scientists already know-- 406 00:18:41,770 --> 00:18:44,438 A highly-elusive, very mysterious species, 407 00:18:44,532 --> 00:18:45,623 But one that is very real. 408 00:18:47,018 --> 00:18:48,684 The greenland shark. 409 00:18:48,777 --> 00:18:50,461 Dustin: Why a greenland shark? 410 00:18:50,613 --> 00:18:52,371 Why this animal in particular? 411 00:18:52,465 --> 00:18:54,966 Upon first blush, this theory seems way out there. 412 00:18:56,527 --> 00:18:58,136 For decades nessie has been described 413 00:18:58,363 --> 00:19:00,805 As more of a dinosaur-like creature. 414 00:19:00,956 --> 00:19:02,715 But that belief stems from a photo 415 00:19:02,867 --> 00:19:05,292 That we now know to be a hoax. 416 00:19:05,311 --> 00:19:07,628 Laurence: What if nessie is not the long-necked beast 417 00:19:07,647 --> 00:19:11,465 In the surgeon's photo, but something else entirely? 418 00:19:11,484 --> 00:19:14,226 Kristyn: Like nessie, greenland sharks are elusive. 419 00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:17,229 They tend to prefer very deep, very cold water. 420 00:19:17,382 --> 00:19:19,157 That makes them hard to study. 421 00:19:19,384 --> 00:19:21,475 They are rarely photographed or filmed. 422 00:19:21,494 --> 00:19:23,810 A lot of what we know about them has only come to light 423 00:19:23,830 --> 00:19:25,812 In the past couple of decades, 424 00:19:25,832 --> 00:19:27,814 Despite the fact that our best guess 425 00:19:27,909 --> 00:19:31,985 Is they've roamed the earth for over 100 million years. 426 00:19:32,005 --> 00:19:33,487 Dustin: In fact, the first time one was photographed 427 00:19:33,506 --> 00:19:35,414 Wasn't until 1995. 428 00:19:35,566 --> 00:19:37,082 And when you first look at it, 429 00:19:37,177 --> 00:19:39,919 You may not initially see nessie, but keep looking, 430 00:19:40,071 --> 00:19:42,087 And think about some of the eyewitness accounts. 431 00:19:42,182 --> 00:19:44,407 It could fit. 432 00:19:44,425 --> 00:19:46,166 Laurence: Greenland sharks are typically mottled gray 433 00:19:46,260 --> 00:19:48,352 Or brown-- the same colors used 434 00:19:48,504 --> 00:19:50,095 To describe the loch ness monster. 435 00:19:50,190 --> 00:19:52,339 And they're big. 436 00:19:52,358 --> 00:19:55,342 Greenland sharks can get to like 20 feet long 437 00:19:55,436 --> 00:19:57,361 And like four tons. 438 00:19:57,588 --> 00:20:00,531 So, they're very, very large animals. 439 00:20:00,683 --> 00:20:02,992 They can actually be larger than great whites. 440 00:20:06,447 --> 00:20:10,023 Laurence: Unlike most sharks, they have a small dorsal fin. 441 00:20:10,043 --> 00:20:11,876 Zak: If a normal shark were cruising along the surface 442 00:20:12,103 --> 00:20:13,769 Of loch ness, people would know it, 443 00:20:13,862 --> 00:20:15,713 It's instantly recognizable. 444 00:20:15,864 --> 00:20:17,698 But the odd, stubby fin of the greenland shark 445 00:20:17,717 --> 00:20:19,959 Could easily be mistaken for something else-- 446 00:20:20,111 --> 00:20:23,370 Possibly the head or a hump of some kind of sea monster. 447 00:20:23,389 --> 00:20:25,723 Dustin: Which definitely applies to most sightings of nessie. 448 00:20:25,950 --> 00:20:28,284 Witnesses often describe multiple humps 449 00:20:28,377 --> 00:20:30,119 Undulating through the water. 450 00:20:30,137 --> 00:20:32,788 When you think back to the time of saint columba, 451 00:20:32,807 --> 00:20:35,549 Through the middle ages, and the nessie sightings 452 00:20:35,568 --> 00:20:38,218 Even up to the 1800s, there are still people around 453 00:20:38,238 --> 00:20:40,387 Who believe in things like mermaids 454 00:20:40,406 --> 00:20:42,815 And all kinds of fantastical creatures. 455 00:20:42,909 --> 00:20:45,301 So, it's not surprising that somebody could catch a glimpse 456 00:20:45,319 --> 00:20:48,304 Of a bizarre-looking shark like this and think 457 00:20:48,322 --> 00:20:51,824 That it is a monster in loch ness or the river ness. 458 00:20:51,976 --> 00:20:54,568 I mean, it kind of does look like a monster. 459 00:20:54,587 --> 00:20:56,921 Laurence: According to some scientists, 460 00:20:57,072 --> 00:21:01,241 Greenland sharks also move like the loch ness monster. 461 00:21:01,261 --> 00:21:05,004 So, most people imagine sharks as being fast agile hunters. 462 00:21:05,098 --> 00:21:07,431 You think of like a great white or a mako shark 463 00:21:07,583 --> 00:21:10,083 Chasing down a meal. 464 00:21:10,103 --> 00:21:12,919 Nessie sightings tend to describe a slow-moving animal. 465 00:21:13,014 --> 00:21:14,680 Jonathan: Greenland sharks live 466 00:21:14,832 --> 00:21:16,165 In a completely different habitat 467 00:21:16,258 --> 00:21:18,091 Where the water's really cold, 468 00:21:18,111 --> 00:21:20,111 And they have a very slow metabolism. 469 00:21:20,338 --> 00:21:22,947 So, they swim slowly, they eat slowly. 470 00:21:23,098 --> 00:21:25,599 They do everything slowly. 471 00:21:25,618 --> 00:21:28,286 Dustin: That is why they're sometimes called sleeper sharks. 472 00:21:28,513 --> 00:21:30,621 If an enormous greenland shark surfaced 473 00:21:30,848 --> 00:21:33,532 And moved along the water of loch ness that slowly, 474 00:21:33,626 --> 00:21:35,367 It's easy to see how it could be misconstrued 475 00:21:35,520 --> 00:21:37,295 As something other than a shark. 476 00:21:37,522 --> 00:21:39,371 Zak: And why don't we see nessie very often? 477 00:21:39,465 --> 00:21:41,690 Because a shark doesn't have to come up for air. 478 00:21:41,709 --> 00:21:43,634 It may occasionally make its way to the shallows, 479 00:21:43,786 --> 00:21:45,044 But not very often. 480 00:21:45,196 --> 00:21:47,638 These greenlands love the depths. 481 00:21:47,790 --> 00:21:49,307 Kristyn: The problem with the greenland shark theory 482 00:21:49,534 --> 00:21:52,368 Is that loch ness is a body of fresh water. 483 00:21:52,386 --> 00:21:54,145 For a long time we've thought that greenland sharks 484 00:21:54,296 --> 00:21:56,055 Are saltwater creatures. 485 00:21:56,149 --> 00:21:58,816 Laurence: But new evidence suggests otherwise. 486 00:21:59,043 --> 00:22:00,985 Greenland sharks have recently been filmed 487 00:22:01,136 --> 00:22:03,303 In canada's st. Lawrence river. 488 00:22:03,397 --> 00:22:05,823 Kristyn: In fact, they go all up and down the st. Lawrence seaway 489 00:22:05,974 --> 00:22:08,975 Through america and canada, and that is entirely freshwater. 490 00:22:08,995 --> 00:22:11,144 Laurence: A similar freshwater route 491 00:22:11,164 --> 00:22:13,572 Connects loch ness with the north sea. 492 00:22:13,724 --> 00:22:15,666 Dustin: If greenland sharks can live in both freshwater 493 00:22:15,893 --> 00:22:18,060 And seawater, it's entirely possible 494 00:22:18,079 --> 00:22:19,728 One could survive in loch ness, 495 00:22:19,747 --> 00:22:22,322 Or at least migrate in from time to time. 496 00:22:22,416 --> 00:22:25,009 Zak: Maybe there's even a chance that the stronsay beast remains 497 00:22:25,160 --> 00:22:27,678 Were misinterpreted, and it was some kind of large shark 498 00:22:27,830 --> 00:22:29,513 That was capable of going back and forth 499 00:22:29,665 --> 00:22:31,164 Between the sea and the loch. 500 00:22:31,184 --> 00:22:33,909 All of this evidence excites the scientific community. 501 00:22:33,928 --> 00:22:36,503 There are so many similarities between greenland sharks 502 00:22:36,522 --> 00:22:38,856 And nessie, experts think that they've solved the mystery. 503 00:22:41,102 --> 00:22:44,436 Laurence: A 2016 experiment at the university of copenhagen 504 00:22:44,589 --> 00:22:46,530 Only adds to that excitement. 505 00:22:46,682 --> 00:22:49,441 These scientists take 28 greenland sharks, 506 00:22:49,594 --> 00:22:52,444 And have them radiocarbon dated to determine their age. 507 00:22:52,538 --> 00:22:56,599 Shockingly, one of them is over 400 years old. 508 00:22:56,617 --> 00:22:59,526 Zak: 400 years makes the greenland shark 509 00:22:59,545 --> 00:23:02,287 The world's longest living vertebrate. 510 00:23:02,382 --> 00:23:05,198 To give you an idea of how incredibly old this is, 511 00:23:05,218 --> 00:23:07,551 There could be a shark swimming out there that was alive 512 00:23:07,703 --> 00:23:10,054 Before the pilgrims left England on the mayflower. 513 00:23:10,281 --> 00:23:12,223 The team also finds that these sharks 514 00:23:12,374 --> 00:23:14,950 Only grow about a centimeter every year, 515 00:23:14,969 --> 00:23:16,894 And they don't even reach sexual maturity 516 00:23:17,121 --> 00:23:20,398 Until they are about 150 years old. 517 00:23:20,549 --> 00:23:22,958 Zak: For some, this seals the deal 518 00:23:22,977 --> 00:23:24,960 That the loch ness monster is a greenland shark. 519 00:23:25,053 --> 00:23:27,053 That longevity could be key 520 00:23:27,073 --> 00:23:29,389 To how isolated the sightings have been. 521 00:23:29,409 --> 00:23:31,742 Nessie seems to be a solitary creature. 522 00:23:31,894 --> 00:23:34,412 No one has ever seen two at once. 523 00:23:34,639 --> 00:23:36,805 Most animals, you would need a family of them 524 00:23:36,824 --> 00:23:39,417 Living in the loch and regularly breeding 525 00:23:39,568 --> 00:23:42,811 To account for so many years of regular sightings. 526 00:23:42,830 --> 00:23:45,814 One single greenland shark could be responsible 527 00:23:45,833 --> 00:23:49,242 For all of the sightings dating back to the 1600s. 528 00:23:49,262 --> 00:23:51,153 Laurence: To find out if a greenland shark 529 00:23:51,172 --> 00:23:52,838 Is living in loch ness, 530 00:23:52,990 --> 00:23:56,175 A team looks for proof in 2017. 531 00:23:56,327 --> 00:23:59,586 A team of scientists led by dr. Neil gemmell 532 00:23:59,605 --> 00:24:02,181 From the university of otago in new zealand 533 00:24:02,333 --> 00:24:04,683 Did a really interesting study. 534 00:24:04,777 --> 00:24:07,352 They went to loch ness and they took water samples 535 00:24:07,505 --> 00:24:09,338 All over the lake-- the middle, 536 00:24:09,431 --> 00:24:10,931 The sides, the ends, everywhere. 537 00:24:10,950 --> 00:24:13,284 From a half a liter of water, 538 00:24:13,435 --> 00:24:15,953 We can get a very, very good catalogue 539 00:24:16,104 --> 00:24:18,864 Of life within the loch. 540 00:24:19,016 --> 00:24:21,533 Jonathan: They did a dna analysis of all the dna 541 00:24:21,686 --> 00:24:23,109 That they found in that water. 542 00:24:23,129 --> 00:24:25,204 So, in theory, any living creature 543 00:24:25,298 --> 00:24:28,299 That has been in that water would leave a dna trace. 544 00:24:28,526 --> 00:24:30,617 Zak: If there's a shark in there, they'll know, 545 00:24:30,636 --> 00:24:32,878 Along with anything else that might be swimming around. 546 00:24:32,972 --> 00:24:36,699 Laurence: After two years, on September 5th, 2019, 547 00:24:36,717 --> 00:24:38,625 They announce their results. 548 00:24:38,644 --> 00:24:40,719 First and foremost, they found no evidence 549 00:24:40,813 --> 00:24:44,056 Of jurassic-era animals, including plesiosaurs. 550 00:24:44,208 --> 00:24:46,725 Zak: But more importantly, they found no evidence 551 00:24:46,877 --> 00:24:50,212 Of shark dna, including greenland sharks. 552 00:24:50,231 --> 00:24:51,880 Kristyn: If we think the creature might be migrating 553 00:24:51,899 --> 00:24:53,473 In and out of the loch, 554 00:24:53,493 --> 00:24:55,234 And maybe it's been away for a while, 555 00:24:55,328 --> 00:24:57,811 Perhaps the shark is still a candidate for nessie. 556 00:24:57,830 --> 00:25:01,499 But that dna test makes things a whole lot less likely. 557 00:25:01,650 --> 00:25:03,575 Zak: This study wasn't completely fruitless though, 558 00:25:03,669 --> 00:25:06,504 Because they did find the dna of countless other species, 559 00:25:06,731 --> 00:25:08,897 Including an incredibly large deposit 560 00:25:08,916 --> 00:25:10,841 Of another potential nessie candidate. 561 00:25:14,997 --> 00:25:17,664 Across nearly 1,500 years of sightings, 562 00:25:17,683 --> 00:25:20,092 Witnesses and scientists alike have been fascinated 563 00:25:20,186 --> 00:25:23,187 With the mystery of scotland's beloved nessie. 564 00:25:23,414 --> 00:25:27,432 But a closer look at results from a 2019 dna test 565 00:25:27,585 --> 00:25:31,529 Might finally reveal the secrets of what's living in loch ness. 566 00:25:33,533 --> 00:25:35,849 Zak: Throughout the years, since at least the 1960s, 567 00:25:35,943 --> 00:25:39,036 And maybe even before, modern technology has been used 568 00:25:39,187 --> 00:25:42,206 To try and solve the mystery of the loch ness monster-- 569 00:25:42,433 --> 00:25:44,208 Everything from sonar, to thermal imaging, 570 00:25:44,359 --> 00:25:46,544 To hydrophonic soundwaves. 571 00:25:46,695 --> 00:25:49,271 But none of these techniques have given us concrete results 572 00:25:49,290 --> 00:25:52,124 Or gotten us any closer to legitimate answers. 573 00:25:52,218 --> 00:25:55,127 However, anybody who has ever watched a crime show 574 00:25:55,221 --> 00:25:57,629 Knows that the best evidence to provide the identity 575 00:25:57,782 --> 00:26:00,391 Of the culprit is dna evidence. 576 00:26:01,894 --> 00:26:05,712 Laurence: In 2019, a team of scientists from new zealand 577 00:26:05,731 --> 00:26:08,290 Finally complete their dna analysis of water 578 00:26:08,309 --> 00:26:10,309 From loch ness. 579 00:26:10,461 --> 00:26:12,570 While there's no trace of greenland sharks, 580 00:26:12,721 --> 00:26:17,482 What they discover unleashes new possibilities for nessie. 581 00:26:17,577 --> 00:26:20,319 They find about 3,000 species, if you can believe it. 582 00:26:20,471 --> 00:26:22,971 Most of those are tiny plankton, roundworms, 583 00:26:23,065 --> 00:26:25,824 Nematodes, small crustaceans. 584 00:26:25,918 --> 00:26:28,310 Of the larger fish, they find salmon, pike, 585 00:26:28,329 --> 00:26:30,737 Stickleback, lamprey, a few others. 586 00:26:30,756 --> 00:26:33,424 They even find dna of land-based creatures 587 00:26:33,575 --> 00:26:35,167 That sometimes end up in the water 588 00:26:35,261 --> 00:26:37,911 For one reason or another, including dogs, cattle, 589 00:26:37,930 --> 00:26:40,505 Sheep, rabbits, and even humans. 590 00:26:40,600 --> 00:26:43,583 This tells us that this test is very sensitive. 591 00:26:43,603 --> 00:26:46,770 Even animals that rarely go in the loch are detected. 592 00:26:46,997 --> 00:26:49,348 But the largest amount of dna they find 593 00:26:49,442 --> 00:26:52,334 That is detected in almost every single sample 594 00:26:52,353 --> 00:26:54,069 Is eel dna. 595 00:26:56,616 --> 00:26:59,691 Jonathan: There are a ton of eels in loch ness. 596 00:26:59,844 --> 00:27:02,694 It is one of the principle spawning grounds 597 00:27:02,847 --> 00:27:04,788 Of the european eel. 598 00:27:05,015 --> 00:27:06,515 Now, most of these eels, they only grow 599 00:27:06,533 --> 00:27:08,867 To be about 0.8 meters. 600 00:27:09,019 --> 00:27:11,203 So, they're not exactly monsters, 601 00:27:11,355 --> 00:27:14,539 But could there be a monster eel? 602 00:27:14,634 --> 00:27:16,634 Very possible. 603 00:27:16,785 --> 00:27:20,028 Every single sampling site that we went to pretty much had eels. 604 00:27:20,047 --> 00:27:22,306 And the sheer volume of it was a bit of a surprise. 605 00:27:23,868 --> 00:27:25,200 Kristyn: The largest eel in the region 606 00:27:25,219 --> 00:27:26,644 Is the european conger. 607 00:27:26,871 --> 00:27:29,037 It can grow to almost 10 feet long 608 00:27:29,056 --> 00:27:31,556 And weigh up to 160 pounds. 609 00:27:31,651 --> 00:27:33,709 Could that be nessie? 610 00:27:33,802 --> 00:27:35,301 Jonathan: Eels are migratory fish, 611 00:27:35,321 --> 00:27:38,213 So if someone saw an eel in loch ness, 612 00:27:38,232 --> 00:27:40,324 It's pretty easy to assume that they could think 613 00:27:40,551 --> 00:27:41,975 That that's the loch ness monster. 614 00:27:41,994 --> 00:27:43,827 Zak: Once you have an eel in mind, and you look back 615 00:27:43,979 --> 00:27:45,829 At the videos and images of nessie, 616 00:27:46,056 --> 00:27:47,498 You realize it could be possible. 617 00:27:49,243 --> 00:27:50,834 Laurence: Especially if you analyze the way 618 00:27:50,986 --> 00:27:53,729 Both nessie and eels move. 619 00:27:53,747 --> 00:27:56,231 The loch ness monster has often been described 620 00:27:56,324 --> 00:27:59,343 As a serpentine-like monster, 621 00:27:59,494 --> 00:28:03,163 Maybe snake-like, or perhaps, eel-like. 622 00:28:03,182 --> 00:28:05,908 If any animal could look like a sea monster, 623 00:28:05,926 --> 00:28:08,018 An eel is a prime candidate. 624 00:28:08,170 --> 00:28:10,595 It really has a classic serpentine look. 625 00:28:10,690 --> 00:28:14,583 Eels move in a slithery, sort of snake-like way, 626 00:28:14,601 --> 00:28:18,028 Where their body curves, and that's exactly what people 627 00:28:18,255 --> 00:28:20,680 Say the loch ness monster looks like. 628 00:28:20,700 --> 00:28:23,608 So, it's really possible that they saw an eel 629 00:28:23,761 --> 00:28:27,687 With those hump-like shapes, and they thought, 630 00:28:27,781 --> 00:28:29,707 "that's the loch ness monster." 631 00:28:31,452 --> 00:28:35,454 Laurence: A 2007 video shot by retired engineer gordon holmes 632 00:28:35,606 --> 00:28:37,697 Seems to support this theory. 633 00:28:37,717 --> 00:28:40,442 Dustin: In 2007, holmes makes some trips to loch ness 634 00:28:40,461 --> 00:28:42,368 To perform some amateur experiments, 635 00:28:42,388 --> 00:28:43,795 Just for fun. 636 00:28:43,948 --> 00:28:45,630 Kristyn: At first, he records some sounds 637 00:28:45,783 --> 00:28:47,616 Using hydrophonic equipment. 638 00:28:47,634 --> 00:28:50,786 Then he sets up a camera to capture video of the lake, 639 00:28:50,804 --> 00:28:53,622 But he doesn't find anything out of the ordinary. 640 00:28:53,640 --> 00:28:58,477 Laurence: That is, until his visit on may 26th. 641 00:28:58,571 --> 00:29:00,404 Dustin: Holmes spots some movement in the water 642 00:29:00,555 --> 00:29:04,199 As he's driving, and pulls over and grabs his camcorder. 643 00:29:05,636 --> 00:29:08,136 His footage clearly shows some type of large animal 644 00:29:08,155 --> 00:29:09,747 Moving through the water. 645 00:29:09,898 --> 00:29:11,749 Though it's hard to tell, it appears as though it's moving 646 00:29:11,900 --> 00:29:13,642 In a serpentine fashion, 647 00:29:13,735 --> 00:29:15,978 Almost slithering through the loch. 648 00:29:15,996 --> 00:29:18,330 Karen: This is some of the best video ever captured 649 00:29:18,482 --> 00:29:20,816 Of a creature on the surface of loch ness. 650 00:29:20,834 --> 00:29:23,927 Holmes purposely zooms in and out while he's shooting 651 00:29:24,079 --> 00:29:26,430 To make sure the shoreline and other landmarks are visible, 652 00:29:26,657 --> 00:29:27,931 So the footage can be analyzed later. 653 00:29:30,102 --> 00:29:32,677 Laurence: Holmes sends his footage to a forensic team 654 00:29:32,830 --> 00:29:35,831 To determine the animal's size and speed. 655 00:29:35,924 --> 00:29:38,500 They find that it's 10 to 15 feet long 656 00:29:38,519 --> 00:29:41,261 And swimming at a speed of six miles per hour. 657 00:29:41,280 --> 00:29:44,673 Based on movement analysis, they find a strong likelihood 658 00:29:44,766 --> 00:29:46,691 That this animal is an eel. 659 00:29:46,844 --> 00:29:49,861 Eels are the most common animals in the loch, 660 00:29:50,014 --> 00:29:53,624 And it's very likely that most of the sightings over the year 661 00:29:53,775 --> 00:29:55,851 Have been related to eels. 662 00:29:55,869 --> 00:29:57,869 Zak: At the time, this is long before the discovery 663 00:29:58,022 --> 00:29:59,688 Of eel dna in the loch, 664 00:29:59,706 --> 00:30:01,948 So they come to this conclusion all on their own. 665 00:30:02,042 --> 00:30:04,617 Kristyn: Eels can also appear brownish gray in the water 666 00:30:04,637 --> 00:30:07,787 And have very smooth skin like the nessie descriptions. 667 00:30:07,807 --> 00:30:10,307 The so-called "humps" that people see 668 00:30:10,458 --> 00:30:13,310 Could be the serpentine curves of the eel as it swims. 669 00:30:13,461 --> 00:30:15,720 And the whole "long, thin neck" concept 670 00:30:15,873 --> 00:30:17,481 Could fit with the eel as well. 671 00:30:17,632 --> 00:30:18,982 They have a long, thin everything. 672 00:30:20,635 --> 00:30:22,711 Dustin: But at 10 to 15 feet long, 673 00:30:22,804 --> 00:30:24,655 If holmes' research is correct, 674 00:30:24,806 --> 00:30:26,824 That would still be an eel of massive proportions. 675 00:30:29,069 --> 00:30:32,996 And in fact, they did develop an amazing new science 676 00:30:33,148 --> 00:30:35,057 And a way to study bodies of water 677 00:30:35,075 --> 00:30:36,741 And what lives in them. 678 00:30:36,836 --> 00:30:38,894 Zak: But of course, potentially identifying 679 00:30:38,912 --> 00:30:41,672 The loch ness monster brings a ton more attention 680 00:30:41,823 --> 00:30:42,506 To their research. 681 00:30:46,904 --> 00:30:48,512 Laurence: When a dna profile of life in loch ness 682 00:30:48,663 --> 00:30:50,848 Is completed in 2019, 683 00:30:50,999 --> 00:30:54,017 It uncovers a wide array of species, 684 00:30:54,169 --> 00:30:56,669 But it doesn't identify everything. 685 00:30:56,689 --> 00:30:58,914 Some of nessie's most passionate researchers 686 00:30:58,932 --> 00:31:02,584 Are quick to note that according to the full 2019 report, 687 00:31:02,603 --> 00:31:06,530 The source of 20% of the dna collected is unknown. 688 00:31:06,681 --> 00:31:09,925 And that opens up a whole new world of possibilities. 689 00:31:09,943 --> 00:31:13,353 Maybe the monster isn't a plesiosaur, or a shark, 690 00:31:13,447 --> 00:31:15,430 Or an eel, or any species 691 00:31:15,449 --> 00:31:17,523 That we've even encountered before. 692 00:31:17,618 --> 00:31:20,602 All of the previous attempts to prove that it is this animal 693 00:31:20,621 --> 00:31:23,271 Or this other animal have been destined to fail 694 00:31:23,290 --> 00:31:24,956 Because it's none of these. 695 00:31:25,109 --> 00:31:26,441 Karen: We may not know what it is 696 00:31:26,534 --> 00:31:28,385 Because we just don't know what it is. 697 00:31:28,536 --> 00:31:31,463 Based on all this unidentified dna, 698 00:31:31,615 --> 00:31:33,465 Could nessie be a completely undiscovered, 699 00:31:33,617 --> 00:31:34,558 Previously unknown species? 700 00:31:39,640 --> 00:31:42,232 Jonathan: If there's one thing that all underwater explorers 701 00:31:42,384 --> 00:31:45,627 And scientists can agree on, it's that we have not found 702 00:31:45,720 --> 00:31:47,905 All the species in the ocean. 703 00:31:48,056 --> 00:31:51,408 There are hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of species 704 00:31:51,635 --> 00:31:53,911 That we haven't found or classified yet. 705 00:31:54,062 --> 00:31:56,896 There's stuff out there that we don't know anything about. 706 00:31:56,916 --> 00:31:59,307 Laurence: If nessie's species is unknown, 707 00:31:59,401 --> 00:32:01,826 How can we ever identify it? 708 00:32:01,921 --> 00:32:04,404 Pretty much the only way we can properly identify 709 00:32:04,423 --> 00:32:06,831 A new species-- whether it's a tiny insect 710 00:32:06,926 --> 00:32:09,985 Or a giant lake monster-- is to find a specimen. 711 00:32:10,003 --> 00:32:12,262 That's how science proves and classifies new animals, 712 00:32:12,414 --> 00:32:14,172 Plants, and even bacteria. 713 00:32:14,266 --> 00:32:17,583 Either living or dead, we have to capture one. 714 00:32:17,678 --> 00:32:19,770 Kristyn: As far as we can tell, nobody has ever captured 715 00:32:19,921 --> 00:32:21,496 A loch ness monster. 716 00:32:21,589 --> 00:32:23,440 There may have once been those remains 717 00:32:23,591 --> 00:32:25,275 On the isle of stronsay, 718 00:32:25,427 --> 00:32:27,611 But we're not actually sure it's the same animal. 719 00:32:27,838 --> 00:32:30,505 And in any case, none of that dna survived. 720 00:32:30,524 --> 00:32:33,842 So, there's no way to compare the stronsay beast dna 721 00:32:33,860 --> 00:32:36,244 With the unknown dna that we have from the loch. 722 00:32:37,681 --> 00:32:38,771 Dustin: So, we're stuck with trying to catch 723 00:32:38,791 --> 00:32:41,349 This elusive animal in loch ness. 724 00:32:41,368 --> 00:32:44,703 But for 1,500 years no one has even come close. 725 00:32:44,855 --> 00:32:46,446 We're still trying to get a good photograph, 726 00:32:46,540 --> 00:32:48,298 Let alone trap the thing. 727 00:32:48,450 --> 00:32:50,025 Laurence: The problem lies 728 00:32:50,043 --> 00:32:54,029 In the incredibly challenging conditions at loch ness. 729 00:32:54,122 --> 00:32:56,473 Jonathan: First off, loch ness is huge. 730 00:32:56,700 --> 00:32:59,050 It's 23 miles long, it's a mile wide, 731 00:32:59,203 --> 00:33:02,887 And the most important thing, 750 feet deep, 732 00:33:03,040 --> 00:33:06,041 Which is impressively deep for any lake. 733 00:33:06,059 --> 00:33:10,470 It contains more water than any other lake in the uk. 734 00:33:10,489 --> 00:33:13,064 In fact, it contains as much water 735 00:33:13,217 --> 00:33:16,051 As all the lakes in England and wales combined. 736 00:33:16,069 --> 00:33:18,996 So, it's a large place to look for a monster. 737 00:33:21,500 --> 00:33:23,074 Karen: But the size isn't the only reason 738 00:33:23,168 --> 00:33:24,835 It's hard to explore. 739 00:33:24,986 --> 00:33:26,728 Loch ness is full of peat, 740 00:33:26,747 --> 00:33:28,338 Which is organic matter from plants 741 00:33:28,565 --> 00:33:30,415 That's constantly breaking down in water. 742 00:33:30,567 --> 00:33:33,343 It makes the water dark brown, almost black. 743 00:33:33,570 --> 00:33:36,404 Visibility is only a couple of feet at most. 744 00:33:36,423 --> 00:33:38,515 And even if you were to dive down for a look around, 745 00:33:38,666 --> 00:33:40,500 The temperature is not survivable. 746 00:33:40,519 --> 00:33:42,668 Loch ness has an average surface temperature 747 00:33:42,763 --> 00:33:44,929 Of 42 degrees fahrenheit. 748 00:33:45,082 --> 00:33:46,915 And as soon as you get about 20 feet down, 749 00:33:46,933 --> 00:33:48,859 It has what is known as a thermocline. 750 00:33:49,086 --> 00:33:51,253 It's a stratification of the water, 751 00:33:51,271 --> 00:33:53,864 Almost like an invisible wall, where suddenly the temperature 752 00:33:54,015 --> 00:33:56,182 Can drop 10 or 20 degrees. 753 00:33:56,201 --> 00:33:58,593 Without a very advanced modern dry suit, 754 00:33:58,612 --> 00:34:02,039 A diver could freeze to death and drown in about six minutes. 755 00:34:03,358 --> 00:34:04,857 Kristyn: I'm not sure that this thing 756 00:34:04,877 --> 00:34:07,285 Is possible to catch in loch ness. 757 00:34:07,379 --> 00:34:10,121 Laurence: But could another lake linked to loch ness 758 00:34:10,274 --> 00:34:12,549 By a waterway offer fresh hope 759 00:34:12,776 --> 00:34:14,676 Of capturing a creature like nessie? 760 00:34:16,446 --> 00:34:18,963 According to some, the answer is yes, 761 00:34:19,058 --> 00:34:23,709 And sweden's storsjön lake is the ideal location. 762 00:34:23,729 --> 00:34:26,638 Dustin: Both are freshwater and fairly cold. 763 00:34:26,790 --> 00:34:29,048 Both share similar biological diversity, 764 00:34:29,142 --> 00:34:31,293 Oxygen levels, et cetera. 765 00:34:31,311 --> 00:34:32,977 If something can live in loch ness, 766 00:34:33,130 --> 00:34:34,905 It can most likely live here too. 767 00:34:35,056 --> 00:34:37,240 Laurence: Like loch ness, it has a long history 768 00:34:37,392 --> 00:34:39,467 Of monster sightings. 769 00:34:39,486 --> 00:34:41,636 There have been centuries of reported sightings 770 00:34:41,655 --> 00:34:44,230 Of a creature with the same physical description. 771 00:34:44,249 --> 00:34:46,899 In swedish, it's called storsjöodjuret, 772 00:34:46,993 --> 00:34:50,420 Which literally translates to "the great lake monster." 773 00:34:50,647 --> 00:34:52,664 It's first written about on a runestone 774 00:34:52,816 --> 00:34:55,241 That dates all the way back to the year 1050. 775 00:34:55,335 --> 00:34:57,001 It's got this depiction 776 00:34:57,154 --> 00:34:59,763 Of a long serpentine water monster on it. 777 00:34:59,914 --> 00:35:03,341 Laurence: Conditions in the two lakes are similar, 778 00:35:03,493 --> 00:35:05,510 But there's one key difference. 779 00:35:05,662 --> 00:35:08,163 Storsjön lake is much cleaner and clearer, 780 00:35:08,181 --> 00:35:11,090 And much less hazardous to explore. 781 00:35:11,184 --> 00:35:14,519 Laurence: And that makes spotting a monster much easier. 782 00:35:14,671 --> 00:35:17,096 Zak: Thanks to much more favorable conditions, 783 00:35:17,116 --> 00:35:19,007 The storsjöodjuret has been captured 784 00:35:19,100 --> 00:35:20,784 Easily on video from far away, 785 00:35:21,011 --> 00:35:23,011 Most recently in a 2008 documentary 786 00:35:23,104 --> 00:35:25,271 That also shot infrared footage. 787 00:35:25,290 --> 00:35:26,772 And attempts to track the specimen 788 00:35:26,867 --> 00:35:28,850 Have already been mounted. 789 00:35:28,869 --> 00:35:31,795 Laurence: Researchers at the lake monster center in storsjön 790 00:35:32,022 --> 00:35:34,947 Plan to continue their search efforts. 791 00:35:34,967 --> 00:35:36,633 If they're successful, all we have to do 792 00:35:36,860 --> 00:35:38,969 Is compare the swedish creature's dna 793 00:35:39,120 --> 00:35:41,805 To all the unknown dna from loch ness. 794 00:35:41,956 --> 00:35:44,307 If any of it matches, we've identified our monster 795 00:35:44,534 --> 00:35:46,718 And discovered a brand-new species. 796 00:35:46,812 --> 00:35:49,128 That would be among one of the most incredible 797 00:35:49,148 --> 00:35:50,981 Scientific discoveries in history. 798 00:35:51,208 --> 00:35:53,224 Karen: As many as 18,000 new species 799 00:35:53,377 --> 00:35:55,152 Are identified every single year. 800 00:35:55,303 --> 00:35:57,228 So, the possibility is out there. 801 00:35:57,381 --> 00:36:00,282 I hope one day we can add nessie to that list. 802 00:36:04,404 --> 00:36:06,404 Laurence: Over long centuries, many theories have emerged 803 00:36:06,556 --> 00:36:08,665 About the origins and existence 804 00:36:08,892 --> 00:36:11,059 Of the mysterious loch ness monster. 805 00:36:11,077 --> 00:36:13,336 Each offers an intriguing possibility, 806 00:36:13,488 --> 00:36:15,839 But none are airtight. 807 00:36:16,066 --> 00:36:17,990 You say, hey, maybe it's a plesiosaur, 808 00:36:18,084 --> 00:36:20,660 But there's no evidence any of them survived extinction, 809 00:36:20,679 --> 00:36:23,680 And we'd see an air-breathing creature much more often. 810 00:36:23,907 --> 00:36:25,998 Karen: So, maybe it's a greenland shark, 811 00:36:26,018 --> 00:36:28,410 But shark dna wasn't found in the loch. 812 00:36:28,428 --> 00:36:30,745 Zak: Well, what about all the eel dna? 813 00:36:30,764 --> 00:36:33,690 But could an eel, even a giant one, grow that big? 814 00:36:33,917 --> 00:36:36,359 What about the thing that washed up in stronsay? 815 00:36:36,511 --> 00:36:39,103 Or the similar lake monster in sweden? 816 00:36:39,198 --> 00:36:41,180 Heidi: To be honest, any one of these creatures 817 00:36:41,200 --> 00:36:43,349 Could be what was spotted in loch ness, 818 00:36:43,368 --> 00:36:45,093 Or perhaps it's more accurate to say 819 00:36:45,186 --> 00:36:47,595 All of these things could be. 820 00:36:47,614 --> 00:36:49,948 Laurence: What if it's not loch ness monster, 821 00:36:50,042 --> 00:36:51,708 But monsters? 822 00:36:56,273 --> 00:36:58,030 Dustin: We talk about the loch ness monster 823 00:36:58,124 --> 00:37:01,051 As this monotypic creature, like there's just one of it. 824 00:37:01,202 --> 00:37:03,795 There's only ever been one nessie. 825 00:37:03,889 --> 00:37:07,131 But given the time period, 1,500 years of sightings, 826 00:37:07,284 --> 00:37:09,208 That's highly unlikely. 827 00:37:09,228 --> 00:37:11,377 There's absolutely no reason it has to be one thing-- 828 00:37:11,396 --> 00:37:13,897 And the same thing-- over centuries. 829 00:37:14,124 --> 00:37:16,307 Kristyn: Let's start with the eel theory. 830 00:37:16,401 --> 00:37:18,551 For sure, some of the things that people have seen 831 00:37:18,570 --> 00:37:20,570 In the loch over the years have been eels. 832 00:37:20,722 --> 00:37:22,054 Just look at the gordon holmes footage, 833 00:37:22,148 --> 00:37:23,740 And that's obvious. 834 00:37:23,967 --> 00:37:25,408 Karen: It's a common animal in the loch, 835 00:37:25,635 --> 00:37:27,302 And when you're scanning from far away 836 00:37:27,320 --> 00:37:29,579 Looking for any kind of movement on the surface, 837 00:37:29,731 --> 00:37:32,490 A large swimming eel could certainly catch your attention. 838 00:37:32,642 --> 00:37:34,476 Zak: How about a greenland shark? 839 00:37:34,494 --> 00:37:36,586 Well, we know they're swimming around in the north sea, 840 00:37:36,813 --> 00:37:39,071 And they can and do sometimes go up river 841 00:37:39,091 --> 00:37:40,815 In the freshwater areas. 842 00:37:40,834 --> 00:37:42,834 It's quite likely a predator like that 843 00:37:42,928 --> 00:37:45,411 Could follow a bunch of salmon into the river ness 844 00:37:45,505 --> 00:37:48,581 And could conceivably make it all the way into the loch. 845 00:37:48,600 --> 00:37:50,433 A lot of animals that sharks like to eat 846 00:37:50,585 --> 00:37:52,994 Make that trip, including seals. 847 00:37:53,013 --> 00:37:56,439 While there wasn't any shark dna in 2019, 848 00:37:56,591 --> 00:37:58,850 There is still a good chance that a shark has been spotted 849 00:37:58,944 --> 00:38:01,111 In the loch across the thousands of other sightings. 850 00:38:02,447 --> 00:38:05,189 Laurence: And what about the plesiosaur theory? 851 00:38:05,342 --> 00:38:06,950 Heidi: I don't necessarily think 852 00:38:07,177 --> 00:38:09,677 There's a living, breathing plesiosaur 853 00:38:09,771 --> 00:38:11,437 That is swimming around there. 854 00:38:11,531 --> 00:38:15,700 But I do think the plesiosaur may be what's behind the legend. 855 00:38:15,852 --> 00:38:17,961 Scotland and the uk in general 856 00:38:18,188 --> 00:38:20,446 Are teeming with plesiosaur fossils-- 857 00:38:20,465 --> 00:38:22,615 Fully-intact skeletons of creatures 858 00:38:22,634 --> 00:38:24,116 That back in the middle ages would have been assumed 859 00:38:24,136 --> 00:38:26,044 To be monsters. 860 00:38:26,196 --> 00:38:28,696 Water beasts, just like saint columba saw. 861 00:38:28,715 --> 00:38:31,382 Imagine in 500 or 600 ad, 862 00:38:31,535 --> 00:38:34,052 You stumble upon the remains of a plesiosaur. 863 00:38:34,204 --> 00:38:36,037 You would certainly tell your buddies back at the ale house 864 00:38:36,056 --> 00:38:38,964 About the crazy giant long-necked creature. 865 00:38:38,984 --> 00:38:41,467 It's quite possible that this tale eventually morphed 866 00:38:41,486 --> 00:38:43,320 Into the loch ness monster legend. 867 00:38:43,471 --> 00:38:45,488 Heidi: As for the stronsay beast, 868 00:38:45,715 --> 00:38:47,732 Whatever it is, it really doesn't matter. 869 00:38:47,884 --> 00:38:49,642 If it washed up on the shore of the island, 870 00:38:49,661 --> 00:38:51,828 We know there's a direct path of waterway 871 00:38:52,055 --> 00:38:54,164 That connects back to the loch ness. 872 00:38:54,315 --> 00:38:55,907 Kristyn: And any migratory creature, 873 00:38:56,001 --> 00:38:58,651 Whether it's a shark, a whale, or anything less, 874 00:38:58,745 --> 00:39:01,838 Could be swimming back and forth from the sea to the loch. 875 00:39:01,989 --> 00:39:03,064 Heidi: Some of the loch ness sightings 876 00:39:03,083 --> 00:39:05,491 Could be the same animal. 877 00:39:05,510 --> 00:39:07,993 Laurence: Or perhaps an unidentified animal 878 00:39:08,088 --> 00:39:10,088 From even further away. 879 00:39:10,182 --> 00:39:13,016 Karen: Across 1,500 years, some of the loch ness sightings 880 00:39:13,243 --> 00:39:15,518 May well be an unidentified new species. 881 00:39:15,745 --> 00:39:18,096 Even the dna results bear that out. 882 00:39:18,190 --> 00:39:20,857 They can't identify every living thing in the loch. 883 00:39:21,008 --> 00:39:22,600 Kristyn: But if sweden's storsjön lake 884 00:39:22,752 --> 00:39:24,435 Is hiding the same species, 885 00:39:24,588 --> 00:39:26,529 Maybe we'll have an incredible discovery soon. 886 00:39:26,681 --> 00:39:29,591 Dustin: Still, even if they identify the storsjöodjuret 887 00:39:29,609 --> 00:39:31,926 And identify one in loch ness as well, 888 00:39:31,945 --> 00:39:33,870 That doesn't mean that gordon holmes didn't see an eel, 889 00:39:34,097 --> 00:39:36,021 Or others didn't see other animals. 890 00:39:36,041 --> 00:39:38,041 A new species would be a revelation, 891 00:39:38,192 --> 00:39:40,618 But remain only one piece of the puzzle. 892 00:39:40,712 --> 00:39:43,287 Heidi: And still, there will always be those people 893 00:39:43,440 --> 00:39:45,364 Who believe nessie is a hoax. 894 00:39:45,384 --> 00:39:48,276 We know for a fact that plenty of nessie witnesses 895 00:39:48,294 --> 00:39:50,703 Have been duped by hoaxes. 896 00:39:50,722 --> 00:39:54,616 It happened to a sonar team that found a movie prop. 897 00:39:54,634 --> 00:39:56,876 And in fact, it happened to millions of people 898 00:39:56,895 --> 00:39:59,729 Around the globe, thanks to the surgeon's photograph. 899 00:39:59,956 --> 00:40:02,047 Dustin: So, yes, nessie is also a hoax, 900 00:40:02,142 --> 00:40:03,625 But not just a hoax. 901 00:40:03,643 --> 00:40:05,977 There's much more to the monster than that. 902 00:40:06,071 --> 00:40:08,980 Karen: One day, we may get the perfect biopsy, 903 00:40:09,074 --> 00:40:12,242 The perfect picture, the perfect bone specimen, 904 00:40:12,393 --> 00:40:14,244 Or maybe a strange long-necked creature 905 00:40:14,471 --> 00:40:16,913 Will just walk right out of the loch and say hello. 906 00:40:17,140 --> 00:40:18,473 And when that day comes, it'll be time 907 00:40:18,566 --> 00:40:20,232 To break out the champagne. 908 00:40:20,326 --> 00:40:22,735 Zak: But until then, I think we shouldn't limit our minds 909 00:40:22,754 --> 00:40:24,904 To what nessie could or couldn't be. 910 00:40:24,923 --> 00:40:26,756 Because it could be something new next year. 911 00:40:26,983 --> 00:40:28,908 Dustin: The possibilities are endless, 912 00:40:28,927 --> 00:40:30,093 And that is what has kept people 913 00:40:30,320 --> 00:40:32,095 Fascinated with nessie for so long. 914 00:40:34,991 --> 00:40:37,100 Despite the many challenges, 915 00:40:37,327 --> 00:40:40,085 Thousands of amateur and professional researchers 916 00:40:40,105 --> 00:40:43,014 Still spend time at loch ness every year 917 00:40:43,166 --> 00:40:46,017 Hoping to unmask the monster. 918 00:40:46,169 --> 00:40:49,170 Perhaps modern technology will soon provide us 919 00:40:49,189 --> 00:40:52,523 With a clear picture of what's hiding in the depths. 920 00:40:52,617 --> 00:40:56,268 Until then, there's no shortage of people willing to look. 921 00:40:56,362 --> 00:40:58,621 I'm laurence fishburne. 922 00:40:58,773 --> 00:41:02,792 Thank you for watching "history's greatest mysteries."