A mysterious creature that struck fear in the hearts of fisherman in Trinidad for nearly a year has finally been identified as merely being a bizarre-looking bird.
Sightings of the strange beast began back in April at a pond near a sugar factory and tales of the oddity lurking in the waters there quickly took on a life of their own.
Once a popular fishing destination, the site was largely abandoned as local residents grew fearful of encountering the creature.
Some brave individuals attempted in vain to hunt the 'pond monster' and one prodigious reporter even managed to capture a photograph of the creature, which only deepened the mystery due to the ambiguous nature of the beast.
Witnesses who were 'lucky' enough to see it in person told of a harrowing experience that left them shaken to their core.
Learn about one fisherman's terrifying encounter and find out what wildlife officials now suspect the 'pond monster' to be at the Coast to Coast AM website.