Mbielu-mbielu-mbielu
In the Congo swamps, people searching for Mokele-mbembe heard of a second creature, with planks growing from its back.
What was reported
Mbielu-mbielu-mbielu, said to mean 'the animal with planks growing out of its back', is a creature reported from the Likouala swamps of the Republic of the Congo, the same region as the better-known Mokele-mbembe. It's described as a large animal that lives partly in water, with plates along its back.
Most accounts were collected by Western expeditions searching for Mokele-mbembe in the 1980s, including those of the biologist Roy Mackal.
Explanations offered
Because of the plates, some enthusiasts have compared it to a stegosaurus, an idea with no supporting evidence. Researchers suggest that leading questions from foreign visitors and misunderstood descriptions of real animals may account for the reports. No physical evidence exists.
- When
- Reported in the 1980s
- Where
- Likouala swamps, Republic of the Congo
- Witnesses
- Local people, as told to visiting expeditions
- Status
- Unconfirmed
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.