Igopogo, also known as Kempenfelt Kelly, Beaverton Bessie and Simcoe Kelly, is a lake monster rumoured to dwell in Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada. It was named in imitation of the Ogopogo and also inspired by the 1952 comic book I Go Pogo. [1]
Description[]
Igopogo is described as a gray seal-like animal with a dog- or horse-like head. Its neck is long and like a stovepipe. It is 12-70 feet long with prominent eyes and a gaping mouth. It has several dorsal fins and a fish-like tail. Igopogo has been observed basking in the sun by eye-witnesses. [1]
Sightings[]
Reports of Igopogo date back to the 1800s. The first alleged sighting of Igopogo is credited to early settler David Soules. While washing sheep with his brother at the shore, the two saw a large long creature leaving a wake in the water and trails in the mud.[2]
On July 22 1963, Rev. Bill Williams was boating on the lake with his family when they observed a charcoal-colored animal in the water.[1] In August 1979, a woman reported to a local newspaper of having seen a big hump in the water while driving with two friends. [2]
In June 13 1983, a sonar sounding of an alleged large animal with a long neck was taken by William W. Skrypetz.[1] Others dispute this account by claiming it could have been a school of fish being read by the sonar as a single unit. In 1991, a videotape was taken of a large seal-like animal.[3]
In 2016, while on the Shirley Solomon Show John Kirk of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club claimed he had received a tape of Igopogo by a local resident. While he did not actually show the tape, he explained the video showed something jumping out of the water. He also gave no date for when the tape was recorded. [2]
Explanation[]
Based on the appearance given by sightings, Igopogo is speculated to be of a pinniped, such as a seal or otter.[1] Even while on the Shirley Soloman Show, John Kirk said the animal in the tape he was given looked like a massive seal of sorts. Regardless, sightings of Igopogo haven't been reported for years.[2]
Sources[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 * Eberhart, George M. (2002) Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology ABC-CLIO, Inc. ISBN 1-57607-283-5
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Lake Simcoe's Own Monster - Lake Simcoe Living
- ↑ Investigators Search for Canadian Lake Monster - Live Science