Loch Ness Monster: Official plan in place if fabled beast is ever CAUGHT
Since the first reported sighting in 565AD, “Nessie” has captured the minds of conspiracists around the world.
And a set of guidelines details how to protect the beast if its ever caught – including releasing it back into the sea.
The “partly serious, partly fun” code of practice was written by Scottish Natural Heritage, which is funded by the Scottish government.
SNH said it will “dust off” the plan and put it into action should the fabled beast be discovered, BBC reported.
It says officials should take a DNA sample from the monster so scientists can study the creature.
Then it should be released back into the Loch with measures put in place to make sure it is not disturbed – as it would be an extremely rare species needing conservation.
Legends around Loch Ness claim that the great lake contains a huge monster.
Many videos and photos have surfaced of the monster throughout the years, without any concrete sightings.
The Loch attracts 400,000 visitors a year from around the world because of the legend.
SNH, which promotes Scottish wildlife and natural habitats, said the 17-year-old code of practice remained relevant today.
The organisation’s Nick Halfhide said: “There was a lot of activity on the loch at the time about Nessie.
“So, partly serious and partly for a bit of fun, we drew up a contingency plan about how we would help Nessie if and when she was found.
“Some of the lessons we learned then have been relevant when we have reintroduced species like sea eagles, and were used when, a couple of years ago, four new species were found in the sea off the west coast.”
He added the plan would need to be updated when Nessie is discovered, and local communities and businesses on the shores of Loch Ness would be consulted.
The creature’s appearance has been described as resembling a plesiosaur, an ancient sea monster that died out with the dinosaurs.
Earlier this year an international team of scientists gathered environmental DNA from Loch Ness for analysis.
Conspiracists have speculated and searched for the Loch Ness Monster since it was apparently first sighted by Saint Columba in 565 AD which banished it to the Loch.
Since then, there have been more than 1,000 sightings, and according to the official Loch Ness Monster website, Loch Ness Sightings, 2017 was a record breaking year with 11 sightings.
One was by Sam Knight, who took an amazing snap during a cruise with his mum which resembled the sea beast in Scotland.
And a mysterious creature was filmed lurking in the River Thames in London.
The strange footage shows a bizarre black creature in the water near the University of Greenwich.
In 2019 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon insisted the Loch Ness Monster exists in an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
Over the years various efforts have tried and failed to find the beast.
In 1987 a £1million exploration called Operation Deepscan used a fleet of 24 boats which used sonar equipment to trawled 23-mile long lake.
Steve Feltham is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records for the longest continuous Nessie-hunting vigil after moving to Loch Ness from Dorset 27 years ago.
He has not seen it yet, but there are ten reported sighting a year on average. – Albert Jack
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