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Water Elephant
Elephant-poilu-du-Zaire
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Background
Type Mammals/ Aquatic-based Cryptids/ Living Fossil
First Sighting 1907
Last Sighting 2005
Country Democratic Republic of the Congo
Habitat Deep, murky water
Possible Population Unknown
Gomphotherium angustidens by leogon-d83e9ni

Another Possible Creature, Gomphotherium

Water Elephants (from the local Teke name Ndgoko na Maiji, meaning "water elephant") are supposed semi-aquatic relatives of the African elephant. These animals are said to resemble the ancient Moeritherium. The Water Elephant is described as an oddly shaped, tuskless elephant that lives most of its life in deep murky water, presumably feeding on aquatic plants.

It has frequently been confused with another aquatic cryptid proboscidean of Africa, an unnamed lake-dwelling elephant with downwards-curved tusks, which may have some connection with water lions.

Sightings[]

The first recorded sighting came in the early 20th century, from a French explorer called Le Petit, who reported seeing a group of 2-2.5 meter tall, elephant-like creatures in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Teke natives called it the ndgoko na maiji, or "water elephant". The Teke told Le Petit that this animal was a rare creature that spent the whole day in the water and only came onto land at night to graze.

Dienotherium

Diakujia's Depiction

In 2005, aviators flying over Lake Tumba claimed to have seen a herd of odd looking elephants fitting the earlier description.

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