Cryptid Profile: Mokele-mbembe and the “Lost” Dinosaurs of the Congo

TREY the Explainer・2 minutes read

Claims of living dinosaurs worldwide are often attributed to misidentifications, hoaxes, and cultural influences, with expeditions in Africa yielding no concrete evidence of cryptids like the Monquilium Bimbe. Despite the allure of discovering living dinosaurs, the lack of concrete evidence raises questions about the validity of these claims, suggesting further pursuit of these cryptids is likely futile and a waste of resources.

Insights

  • Many reported sightings of living dinosaurs, particularly in the Congo Basin, have been debunked as misidentifications, hoaxes, and influenced by cultural myths, casting doubt on the credibility of these claims.
  • Expeditions searching for cryptids like the Monquilium Bimbe in Africa, led by individuals with questionable credentials, have failed to provide concrete evidence, with paleontologists debunking supposed findings like plaster footprints and blurry videos, leading to skepticism about the existence of these creatures and questioning the validity of further pursuit.

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Recent questions

  • Are there living dinosaurs in the Congo Basin?

    No

  • Who reported rumors of a dinosaur-like creature in Rhodesia in 1909?

    Carl Hagenbeck

  • What is the Monquilium Bimbe?

    A dinosaur-like cryptid

  • What challenges do expeditions face in the Congo Basin?

    Dense rainforests and exploration difficulties

  • Who contributed to the mythology of the Monquilium Bimbe?

    William Gibbons

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Summary

00:00

Dinosaur Sightings: Myths, Hoaxes, and Exploration

  • Paleontologists described dinosaur remains in the 1800s, leading to claims of live sightings worldwide.
  • Many sightings of supposed living dinosaurs are attributed to misidentifications, hoaxes, and cultural influences.
  • The Congo Basin is a hotspot for cryptid sightings, with claims of undiscovered species.
  • The Congo River and its tributaries create dense rainforests, making exploration challenging.
  • Reports of living dinosaurs in Africa date back to ancient times, with mentions of various mythical creatures.
  • German explorer Carl Hagenbeck reported rumors of a dinosaur-like creature in Rhodesia in 1909.
  • Reports of dinosaur-like creatures spread across Africa, including crocodile-like beings and giant humans.
  • The first mention of the Monquilium Bimbe, a dinosaur-like cryptid, was in the 1940s by science writer Willie Lay.
  • Expeditions to find the Monquilium Bimbe in the Congo have yielded no concrete evidence, despite various claims.
  • The myth of the Monquilium Bimbe likely stems from a combination of cultural influences, hoaxes, and misinterpretations of ancient artwork.

14:56

"Mokilim Bimbe: Myth or Reality?"

  • Reports of sauropods in foreign places resembled outdated views of slow swamp-dwelling dinosaurs.
  • The mention of Mokilim Bimbe near the Congo dates back to 1941 in Willy Ley's "Exotic Zoology."
  • The original 1913 German manuscript referencing Kilian Bimbe is lost, casting doubt on its existence.
  • Ley's translation of Ludwigs' manuscript lacks clarity, raising questions about its accuracy.
  • Exotic Zoology is the source of the name and information on the cryptid Mokilim Bimbe.
  • Tracking the origins of African dinosaur tales often leads to vague dead ends and unreliable sources.
  • Translations of Mokilim Bimbe's name vary, with different meanings attributed to it over time.
  • Roy Mackel's encounters with locals in the Congo reveal conflicting accounts and potential coercion.
  • Eyewitness accounts of Mokilim Bimbe are influenced by Western tourists and financial incentives.
  • Researchers like William Gibbons, with questionable credentials and biases, contribute to the mythology of Mokilim Bimbe.

28:52

Expeditions in Papua New Guinea: A Critique

  • Many expeditions in Papua New Guinea, like the one led by Bill Gibbons in 2009, have been criticized for their lack of progress and tendency to give up easily when faced with challenges, with Gibbons' team being described as suburban white men on a tropical vacation rather than serious researchers.
  • The evidence collected by these expeditions, such as plaster footprints and blurry aerial videos, has been debunked by paleontologists, casting doubt on the existence of the Mongolian Bimbe and other African living dinosaur stories, which are believed to be based on hearsay and rumors perpetuated by Western influences.
  • Despite the allure of discovering living dinosaurs, the lack of concrete evidence after decades of searching raises questions about the validity of these claims, with the speaker suggesting that any further pursuit of these cryptids is likely futile and a waste of resources.
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