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Is the Loch Ness ‘monster’ really just a giant catfish? Scientists to test DNA samples from lake

New Zealand scientist will lead an international team to the lake where they will take samples of the murky water to determine what species live there

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Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness. File photo: TNS
Associated Press

The stories seem as tall as the lake is deep. For hundreds of years, visitors to Scotland’s Loch Ness have described seeing a monster that some believe lurks in the depths.

But now the legend of “Nessie” may have no place left to hide. A New Zealand scientist is leading an international team to the lake next month, where they will take samples of the murky waters and conduct DNA tests to determine what species live there.

University of Otago professor Neil Gemmell said he was no believer in Nessie, but he wanted to take people on an adventure and communicate some science along the way. Besides, he said, his kids think it’s one of the coolest things he is ever done.

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One of the more far-fetched theories is that Nessie is a long-necked plesiosaur that somehow survived the period when dinosaurs became extinct. Another theory is that the monster is actually a sturgeon or giant catfish. Many believe the sightings are hoaxes or can be explained by floating logs or strong winds.

Gemmell said that when creatures move about in water, they leave behind tiny fragments of DNA. It comes from their skin, feathers, scales and urine.

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Nick Gemmell is leading a team to Scotland's Loch Ness lake in June. Photo: AP
Nick Gemmell is leading a team to Scotland's Loch Ness lake in June. Photo: AP
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