Hunting the Loch Ness Monster - 18th September 2023

Scotland's Loch Ness Monster has attracted the largest hunt in 50 years. Expert and amateur cryptozoologists, who search for creatures from legends, gathered to investigate the lake for the sea monster.

With advanced technology, the team listened for underwater noises with hydrophones and scanned the lake with thermal imaging drones. They were joined by 300 volunteers, who used traditional searching methods, as others tuned in to livestreams.

Days before the investigation, Loch Ness locals reported odd sounds coming from the lake. However, these weren't recorded as their equipment wasn't plugged in at the time. Loch Ness Exploration's head, Alan McKenna, thinks this could be gas escaping the lake, other animals or the Loch Ness monster. But McKenna stated that they'll examine all the evidence more carefully.

The legend, which started over 90 years ago, has attracted many tourists to the area over the years. The Scottish economy benefits from these visits which generate $51 million annually.

Although the search produced no clear evidence of the monster's existence, believers aren't discouraged. Malcolm Begg who volunteered is convinced the monster's an aquatic dinosaur called diplodocus. But his daughter Alba, who's 8, thinks the monster "has babies and she's looking after them right now. So, that's why she's hiding from us."

For McKenna, the exploration isn't all about the creature. It's about enjoying the outdoors and believing in something we can't see. However, he still tries to be scientific about finding evidence because he still hopes the Loch Ness monster is real.