An expert says he has cracked the mystery of the Loch Ness Monster – and has warned that sightings will soon dry up. For 24 years Steve Feltham has assiduously watched the waters of Loch Ness convinced that it holds a family of prehistoric monsters.
But now Steve, who is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records for the longest continuous monster hunting vigil of the loch, believes Nessie is no plesiosaur but a giant catfish first introduced by Victorians.
And what is more, there may be only one ‘Nessie’ left.
Mr Feltham’s “Nessie no more” verdict could be devastating to the Loch Ness Monster tourism industry, which is said to be worth around £25m a year to the area.
More than 85 per cent of the estimated 1m visitors are attracted by the phenomenon of the Loch Ness monster – many to visit Mr Feltham – and Nessie has her celebrity fans too.
Two years ago Hollywood hellraiser Charlie Sheen even went to look for Nessie – allegedly armed with a leg of lamb and a large hook – and promised to return with American ex chat show Jay Leno.
But Mr Feltham, 52, said he was now convinced that Nessie was a Wels catfish – a giant fearsome fish that can grow as long as 13ft and up to 62 stone.
“It is known they were introduced into English lakes by the Victorians for sport.
“They are very long-lived and it is entirely possible they were introduced by Victorians to the loch – which would explain why the main sightings of Nessie really started in the 1930s – just as the animals were reaching maturity,” said Mr Feltham, who gave up his girlfriend and home in Dorset to hunt for Nessie. Continue reading – http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/loch-ness-monster-mystery-solved-6079792