White River Monster

The White River runs through a town in Arkansas called Newport. From 1915 to present day the residents have reports seeing a mysterious creature in the river. The creature has been seen thrashing about in the river and is described as being 12 to 30 ft long and about 5 ft wide. Three toed tracks have also been found on the river banks. The prints measure 14 in. long and 8 in. wide. Theories on the identity of the creature range from an out of place elephant seal to a giant penguin.

New Comments from Jan Hoover who is a ichthyologist (fish biologist) "I believe that the White River Monster is a series of sightings of groups of paddlefish, combined with an occasional sighting of a large (possibly ill) sturgeon. The Monster is described as a surface dwelling, oceanic looking animal with smooth gray skin, a large mouth, and a long bone projecting from its head. Only the size is inconsistent with a paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), but paddlefish frequently occur in large groups near the surface of the water and this could be responsible for the exaggerated size. Anyway, its a much more credible candidate than a lost seal, etc., since paddlefish occur naturally in the White River."