Ropen Expedition ‘07
Posted by: Loren Coleman on January 29th, 2007
Click on the Ropen for a larger version. No scale was given for this drawing.
As we have learned, the “Destination Truth” team is on a filming trek in Asia. Here is another insight into the expedition’s point-of-view and cryptid focus as they pursue the Ropen in Papua New Guinea:
I was interviewed by Neil Mandt a few weeks ago as he was preparing for the expedition (this kind of excursion should only be done after consulting with someone who has been in Papua New Guinea, searching for the Ropen and/or eyewitnesses). At first, suspicious – the “Fi” of “Sci-Fi Channel” means “fiction,” – I was assured that this was a real investigation to get to the truth. I advised them about villagers, dangers, and so forth.
Recently, I received word that this team procured something more substantial than just eyewitness testimonies, but I’ll let them announce the details, when they return.
A double-problem not commonly known about Ropen investigations is this:
Several names may represent the same species, and one name may represent more than one species. “Duwas” and “Ropen” probably/usually indicate the same kind of creature. I believe that “Duah” is a Western distortion, caused by the assumption that “Duwas” is the plural: It is not plural.
We (myself and my team) now suspect that there are more than one species of pterosaur in Papua New Guinea.Jon Whitcomb
The wingspan (“W”) is said to be 29-30 feet.
Jonathan Whitcomb’s book is Searching for Ropens.
About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct).
Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015.
Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.
How remote is this area?
I believe that Ropen probably is a living creature. I doubt they are pterosaurs though. I just don’t think it’s likely that any pterosaurs survived the K-T extinction. They were from all indications already in decline.
Of course birds survived so I suppose it’s remotely possible that some pterosaurs could have survived too.
It’s scary to think these creatures still exist and they are not very far from me! Much of PNG haven’t been explored, even by the locals themselves.
On the other hand, in the nearby over-crowded Java Island, the Ahool is still as elusive as ever. Strange
Just amazing. I never heard of a Ropen and this just fascinates me to think they still exist. Thanks for the blog it was super interesting!
I really think there is a good chance that this is real.
I find this fascinating that this could be real, and i think throws a real loop in the creation vs evolution debate. Only time will tell.
So its a pretty remote area?
Fascinating story unfolding here. I tend to think that there is probably something out there that is causing these stories of ropen, but I am not convinced that it is a living pterosaur at this time. There is just no strong evidence to support that theory just yet. What I feel to be possibly more within the realm of possibility is that it is some kind of very large bat. I can’t wait to see what kind of find they are going to announce when they get back.
Muskie Murawski- Yes, it is a very remote area.
Well, all wishes and luck go with them. Something like that would completely change the way we in the western world think about what we know. Now to get Jaque Custeau to release his underwater footage of Lake Tahoe. It actually talks about this on the official website for Lake Tahoe. It says something to the fact that he withheld releasing it because the public isn’t ready for what is down there. HHMMMMM, makes you wonder.