Serengeti enigma: Mysterious creature discovered in the wild

A mysterious animal has been reported in the Serengeti National Park and so far the strange creature is baffling experts regarding its origin or species.

The mammal was first seen in Serengeti plains last October by tourists who tried to take its picture but without much success and as news spread, more visitors went round looking for the animal and eventually a frequent traveler, Mr Robert Berntsen managed to capture a shot of what is now known as the 'Serengeti enigma.'

The Communications Manager for the Tanzania National Parks Authority, Mr Paschal Shelutete admitted it was strange news and rather peculiar development in one of the country's largest parks. He however promised to have zoological and wildlife experts go round in search of the 'Serengeti Enigma' and examine the creature.

"We will then decide whether it is indeed a new species of animal or a case of biological mutation and deformation," he stated.

The creature can easily pass like a gazelle, but on closer inspection it spots a much larger, camel-shaped head which is covered in thick, hairy-fur like a lion's mane. From a far the 'Enigma' also resembles a lone wildebeest in fact Mr Paolo Torchio who was the first person to spot the creature almost dismissed it as a young ungulate left behind by its herd.

The ongoing debate among people who have so far managed to have a glimpse of the 'Serengeti Enigma,' or the only photos taken by the traveler, Mr Berntsen is whether it is a new species of gazelle, a hybrid of some kind (precisely crossing between a wildbeest and the former or maybe a mutation.

While observers haven't been able to reach any conclusion and local expert are yet to start studying the mysterious animal, the TANAPA communications officer, Mr Shelutete believes the discovery will soon be driving packs of tourists, researchers and other curious observers to Tanzania to witness the discovery.

When Mr Berntsen took its picture, last November the animal was near a group of Thomson's gazelles, though on the "outskirts". After discussion, Berntsen and his traveling partners decided that most likely the animal was a "mutant Thomson's gazelle, probably a young male." However, he says "this explanation was just concluded on what we had seen while eliminating other explanations we found less probable."

Berntsen claims to have studied the strange creature for about ten minutes and managed to describe its unique features.

He observed that the 'enigma's' head had a lot of dark long hair which obstructed the true form of its head and mouth.

I know this is going to end lion hunting, but here we go...

Looks like somebody's Airedale got loose and had it's way with a Thompson's

A Rastafarian Gazelle.

I'm sure Shakari.com will have the answer!

There's a few weird things happening over there. Photographed this bloke in Etosha NP.

Someone forgot the stencil.

I know what that is, that there is a horned schnauzer.



... or maybe a woolly gazelle left over from the ice age?

Hypertrichosis.

Happens in humans too, fellows with this form of extreme body and facial hair often end up as circus attractions.

Philip

What kind of mane will the Thommy have when 6 years old ????

quote:

Originally posted by Neil-PH:
What kind of mane will the Thommy have when 6 years old ????

the mane looks pretty good...but check the nose must be black before shooting

Algore will tell you all it is caused by global warming.

Obviously some Jamaican Rasta’s were making a pilgrimage to Ethiopia and one of their goats got lost.

I would suspect he can easily be called by loudly playing "Kingston Town" on a large boom box while disguising your scent by burning a large quantity of duga.

Looks like a Nandi Bear to me.

its an obongo - close relation to the obama

I agree with Sevens, looks surprisingly like a Schnauzer!

I bet it has a pituitary adenoma.

Finally, an authoritative response. Thanks LE.

Nature does produce some strange anomlies sometimes. I saw not one, but two Appaloosa mule deer many years ago.

Now, what is adenoma?

quote:

Originally posted by Brice:
Finally, an authoritative response. Thanks LE.

Nature does produce some strange anomlies sometimes. I saw not one, but two Appaloosa mule deer many years ago.

Now, what is adenoma?

A hormone secreting tumor of the pituitary gland which is located in the brain.

Actually quite common in horses. Most common clinical sign in horses is hirsutism (the growth of hair in places where hair does not usually grow...or...in this case the growth of long hair where long hair usually does not grow...which is usually the case in equine cases).

Other rule/outs would be: 1)ovarian or testicular cancer 2) hyperlasia or cancer of the adrenal gland 3) Cushing's disease 4) metabolic syndrome 5) polycystic ovaries

quote:

Originally posted by oupa:
Obviously some Jamaican Rasta’s were making a pilgrimage to Ethiopia and one of their goats got lost.

I would suspect he can easily be called by loudly playing "Kingston Town" on a large boom box while disguising your scent by burning a large quantity of duga.

Oupa, duga is and should be dagga,[cannabis]. Just helping an old timer.

quote:

Originally posted by Scriptus:

quote:

Originally posted by oupa:
Obviously some Jamaican Rasta’s were making a pilgrimage to Ethiopia and one of their goats got lost.

I would suspect he can easily be called by loudly playing "Kingston Town" on a large boom box while disguising your scent by burning a large quantity of duga.

Oupa, duga is and should be dagga,[cannabis]. Just helping an old timer.

How did that one slip by me. Thanks for the correction my young friend!

Oupa, not so young anymore, 60 next birthday. You do know that within every grey head is a young person looking out and wondering what the hell happened.