6. Manipogo Canada's Lake Manitoba holds claim to a sea monster legend that dates back to 1908. The creature was dubbed Manipogo in 1957, the name echoing British Columbia's Ogopogo. (Following the same tradition, neighboring Lake Winnipegosis boasts Winnipogo.) The described characteristics of Manipogo are roughly similar to those of Ogopogo, leading some to theorize that they are specimens of the same species -- perhaps surviving prehistoric zeuglodons. Louis Belcher and Eddie Nipanik reported seeing a huge, serpentine creature swimming across Lake Manitoba in 1957. After other sightings came in, the Manitoba provincial government launched an official expedition to search for Manipogo and learn what threat such a monster might pose. This was followed by a more comprehensive scientific investigation in 1960. In both cases, nothing extraordinary was discovered living in the lake. In August 1962, two fishermen named Richard Vincent and John Konefell took a photograph (shown on this page) of what they claimed was Manipogo. Vincent said he thought the creature was "a large black snake or eel... which was swimming with a ripple action... it was about a foot in girth, and about 12 feet of the monster was above water. No head was visible." The men estimated that the humped portion of the creature seen in the picture was about two feet long, and guessed that they took the photo from about 50-75 yards away. They attempted to pursue Manipogo in their motorboat, but despite their 10-horsepower motor they weren't fast enough to keep pace, and he got away. Vincent and Konefell's photograph has convinced some observers, including zoologist James A. Macleod of the University of Manitoba. "If that isn't the monster," Macleod said of the fishermen's picture, "I'd like to know what the deuce it is." But the twisting object in the photo is too indistinct to draw any meaningful conclusions from, and no further significant evidence of Manipogo has yet been offered. Next: The Queensland Creature Back to Cryptozoo Entrance Paranormal message board: Share your views