The ropen is a flying creature apparently living in the vicinity of Papua New Guinea. Although this creature is mentioned in the folklore of the region, its existence has not been proved. Stories recounting sightings of the flying ropen began to be reported shortly after WW1 when western missionaries began to penetrate the deep jungles of the islands of Papua New Guinea. Most of the evidence about the existence of the ropen stems from the natives personal accounts, describing a huge nocturnal flying creature with fish- eating habits and bioluminescence characteristics. Recently, there have been expeditions to the alleged site especially intended to search for the truth about the existence of this creature.

Cryptozoology is termed as the science of unknown or hidden animals. Cryptozoology derives from the Greek words “kriptos,” meaning hidden; “zoon” animal; and “logos” study. Thus, cryptozoology means the study of the unknown or hidden animals. A cryptid is a creature or plant whose existence has been suggested but is not recognized by the scientific community. Typical examples of a cryptic include the legendary creatures of mythology, such as the dragon. A number of species once known to be extinct have been spotted in recent history. In 2004 a live giant squid, believed to be a mythological creature, attacked a baited fishing line off the Ogasawara islands in Japan.

Doubtful existence

Descriptions of the ropen vary. Some say it is a bat-like creature, while others describe it as a Pterosaur, which has generally been accepted as extinct. Strange flying lights in Papua New Guinea have been reported not only by natives, but by foreign visitors. Jonathan Whitcomb, author of the book, “Searching for Ropens” mentions that the ropen’s glow lasts for approximately five seconds in the sky. Duane Hodgkinson, a pilot who was stationed in Papua New Guinea shortly after WW11 declares to have seen a large dark-gray flying creature with long serpentine neck, a beak and crest in the head with a wing-span of approximately 20 ft.

Anecdotal evidence

The ropen is thought to be a nocturnal creature, exhibiting bioluminescence. Supposedly it feeds on fish, though, some reports say it has been spotted feeding on human flesh, particularly from dead human bodies. Skeptics argue that the evidence of the existence of the ropen is limited to anecdotal evidence which describe a large nocturnal flying creature with bioluminescence glowing characteristics, or some other kind of evidence not sufficiently substantiated to tolerate scientific analysis. Some agree that cryptozoological evidence is feeble, while others contend that the isolated incidents might represent creatures not recognized by science.

Recent expeditions

In 2004 a research team conducted a trip of three weeks to the western coast of Papua New Guinea. The objective was to enter the mountainous interior to substantiate the intriguing reports stemming from coastal communities. From the dozens of interviews conducted, a composite drawing of the most likely characteristics of the creature was made. After the assembling was made, the creature appeared to resemble the Dimorphodon pterosaur only with the addition of a large crest in the head and dermal bumps; however, descriptions from natives report a wing-span of 15-20 ft., and a glowing bioluminescence.

Most evidence supporting the existence of crytids has been uncovered as deliberate hoaxes. One example of this is the Loch Ness Monster allegedly inhabiting a lake in the Scottish Highlands. Other indirect evidence has persuaded previously skeptical scientists to think about the reality of cryptids. Cryptids have been the subject of TV programs, such as Supernatural, Destination truth, Monster Quest, among others. According to Jonathan Whitcomb, the evidence of the existence of the ropen came not from his personal observations, but from the many accounts of different people from varied cultures and languages.