The Ropen
On islands off Papua New Guinea, people describe a large flying creature with a long tail that glows as it flies at night.
What was reported
On Umboi Island and other parts of Papua New Guinea, local people tell of the ropen, a large flying creature that comes out at night. Some descriptions give it a long tail with a diamond-shaped tip, and say it glows as it flies.
Several expeditions, mostly by people hoping to prove that pterosaurs survived, have visited the island to look for it, and some have reported seeing lights moving in the night sky.
Explanations offered
Scientists consider a surviving pterosaur impossible. Suggested explanations include large fruit bats, frigatebirds, which have long forked tails, and bioluminescent insects or other natural lights. No physical evidence has been found.
- When
- Reported in the 20th century
- Where
- Umboi Island, Papua New Guinea
- Witnesses
- Islanders and 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.