Paul Nation wants to answer that question. Since 1994, Paul has been intrigued by reports of an unusual flying creature that lives in remote jungles of Papua New Guinea. Four trips into the jungle finally led him to see and videotape the bioluminescence that is credited to these creatures. Now, he is mounting an expedition to go where he has never gone before and attempt to solve this mystery once and for all.
Papua New Guinea is the 2nd largest island on earth and has appropriately been called "The Lost World" where previously unknown species of birds and other animals are sometimes discovered. Monsterquest Season Three in June, 2009, featured this creature which is called "Ropen" by the local people. Paul prefers to call it the Indava Bird after the native word for light.
First documented reports of this creature came in 1875 when a Mr. Smithurst, who was the engineer of a steamer voyaging up the Baxter River in New Guinea, spoke about a bird of seemingly unknown origin. He claimed it could pick up a kangaroo or a large turtle and fly off. The noise of its flapping wings sounded to him like a steam engine slowly pulling a long train. Mr. Smithurst also said that the wing span was anywhere from 16-18 ft. It had a dark brown body, white breast, long neck and long, straight beak.
Recent testimony about this creature reveals that what is being seen now are 30 ft. wing spans. These bizarre creatures live in the mountains and come down at night to feed. They have sharp teeth, and their bioluminescent body is said to sometimes glow red and other times, white. In times past, the creature was said to rob graves and feast upon human flesh. Natives would run waving their hands and screaming in order to scare them away and prevent children from being attacked.
Paul has videotaped lights which he feels are the Indava Bird's biolumenescence. Scientific tests of this video ruled out vehicles and camp fires as the source.
Here is your chance to participate in this project with this modern-day Indiana Jones and be the armchair discoverer that you always wanted to be. Paul's Indiegogo Fundraising Campaign is in full swing to raise $12,000 for this expedition. Click the link, contribute, and send him packing later this year for parts unknown. He will really appreciate that.
Read about Paul's exploits at his blog. Follow him on Facebook here.
