Swamp Beasts Unleashed | Expedition X | Discovery

Holy, there are bones everywhere.
I mean, that looks like deer, wild hog.
Look at this.
>> Holy.
We’re in a feeding ground.
>> We’re in a feeding ground.
>> Okay, Phil, you’re our resident skeptic.
So, what if I told you that there is a certain lonely stretch of road in Texas where nearly every single night, you could see an undeniable, unexplained phenomenon.
>> I’d say let’s go to Texas. I I want to believe.
>> Okay, Jess, I’m guessing you have heard of these so-called Saratoga ghost lights.
>> I have.
>> Of course you have. You are like an encyclopedia of the supernatural.
>> Thank you very much.
>> And what are these things supposed to be?
>> Well, that’s the thing. Nobody knows.
There are these weird orbs of light that hover over this road. Some people think they’re ghosts. I’ve even heard UFOs.
>> Oh, so it’s that kind of story.
>> Yes.
>> Well, you know where I’m going to come down on this. Whenever there is something that is a physical phenomenon like lights, I’m wondering if there is a natural explanation that then can lead to these legends and lore of ghosts or UFOs. I’m guessing this place is pretty creepy. Yeah.
>> Oh, yeah. So, in pitch darkness, we begin our journey down the infamous ghost road. A gloomy stretch of flat dirt track that has inspired fear for nearly 100 years.
>> This place is creepy.
>> This is kind of spooky. Like, if you’re ever going to see a ghost in the middle of nowhere, this would be a prime place.
>> Yeah.
>> All right. I think we’ve gone about a mile in here.
>> All right.
I’m eager to break out our highly sensitive thermal imager.
Anything that displaces heat, even strange balls of light, should show up here.
>> How’s it looking?
>> Nothing yet.
>> Not to be outdone by Jess, I’ve got a pair of militaryra night vision goggles that use the infrared spectrum to help me see in the dark. Whatever people are witnessing out here, I’m convinced it’s a product of this wild environment.
What the hell was that?
>> Something happening?
>> Yeah, I just saw a light and it was shot right up into the sky.
>> Oh, did you guys see that?
>> There’s a little phosphorescent ball right there.
>> Wait, flash right down there. Went right across. I thought that’s what you were talking about.
>> No, I saw something in here go right up.
So, you just saw something go up. You saw something down there?
>> Same time. Right when she said that, I saw a flash. It was like a kind of a phosphorescent glow right across about 300 y down. That’s so weird.
>> Did you get in on your camera?
>> Yep.
>> Did you get on the flare?
>> Yeah, I think so.
>> All right, let’s check the flare.
>> Okay, let me play it back.
>> See, right there. Oh, >> yeah.
>> Oh, I got it.
>> That was quick.
>> Did I just film a ghost light?
Evan, you caught yours, right?
>> Yeah.
>> All right. Well, let’s review Evan’s footage, then.
>> Yeah.
>> All right. Hold on. Let me get it.
There you go.
>> What is that?
>> Look at that.
>> Is that the moon?
>> Oh, >> that was cool.
>> That was not a bat. And that is not what I saw. It almost looked like a fireball glowing and the way it like disappeared like that at the end. We’ve officially seen some weird lights and we got it on tape.
>> For my money, we just encountered the Saratoga ghost lights. Not once, but twice. And while they didn’t appear as a headless apparition, we’re off to one hell of a start. The light shot off deeper into the swamp, an area where other people along the ghost road have seen lights congregating in the distance. So, to see for ourselves what’s out there, we need to catch a ride.
>> Hi there.
>> Captain Sally Haynes has agreed to take us deep into these dangerous wetlands at night when this phenomenon can be seen more easily.
>> So, you’re going to want to keep an eye out in this low-line vegetation here for alligators.
>> All right. So, guys, I want to drop you off here and let you check it out.
>> You’re not going to leave us here, right? I won’t leave you, but I’m not getting off.
>> All right, >> good luck. Thanks.
>> The sheriff’s deputy reported that the light he witnessed traveled deep into the swamp. Now, miles from civilization, I’m hoping this could be ground zero for the ghost light phenomenon.
>> Wow. You hear this place?
>> Yeah.
I feel like I’ve gone back in time and I’m in the land of the dinosaurs. These big palms and everything.
See, got some hot spots in there for sure. Something’s been here recently.
Right now, I’m using the Fleer camera that can detect thermal signatures in the dead of night.
Whoa, check this out.
I don’t see anything on the floor.
>> Did you see that?
>> Yeah.
>> Phil.
>> Yeah. What do you got?
>> A light just shot right past me into the trees.
>> And it wasn’t a shooting star up in the sky. It >> was about 5 ft off the ground. It wasn’t up in the air.
>> Did you get on the flare?
>> I think I did.
Keep filming. See if it comes back. I’m head of your way.
>> All right.
>> I don’t know how much, but I definitely got some of it.
>> All right, let’s see it.
>> Let’s see.
>> See?
>> Oh, yeah. It went sideways.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. That’s what I saw.
>> That went right through the tree. Mhm.
>> Yeah.
You know, I’m going to ask you the same thing I always ask you, but are you sure it wasn’t a firefly, wasn’t a bat going by, anything like that?
>> It was not a firefly or a bat. It was glowing just like that light I saw on Bragg Road.
>> I’m not convinced that what Jess captured on camera was a ghost light, but we continue to search for hours just in case the mysterious object reappears.
Eventually, we board the airboat and head back to civilization.
It seems that for tonight at least, the lights of the big thicket have gone dark.
The methane fireballs may explain a few of the Saratoga light encounters on Bragg Road, but we still don’t know what’s behind the bulk of these ghostly sightings, and we’re running out of leads.
>> Interesting.
Ben’s hypothesis is interesting, but I’m not fully convinced. After all, how can two headlights at road level appear to be a light in the sky?
So, tonight we’re heading back to the spot where our cameraman Evan filmed the light to pressure test Ben’s theory.
All right, this is where we were the other night, so I think this is the perfect spot.
>> Evan’s camera was pointed south down the ghost road when he filmed the mysterious light at that southern tip. The road merges with Highway 787. The question is, could the lights be the result of a car traveling north on this highway as it passes the Ghost Road and bears to the left? It’s time to find out.
What I want you to do is take the Jeep, >> go to the end of the road, take the highway up a little bit, and then radio me when you’re coming. I’ll have this camera pointed that way. I’ll have the team’s cameras pointed that way. And when you drive past the road entrance, maybe we’ll see the same thing, and that could explain some of the Saratoga lights.
>> Down to the end of the road. Take a left. Spin it around. 3 2 1. I’m on my way. All righty.
Since the ghost road is so straight, we should see her headlights at a great distance. But will they look normal or like something otherworldly?
>> Jess, we’re ready for you.
>> Okay, >> driving toward you.
>> Copy.
Okay, time to see if we could finally unmask the Saratoga lights.
>> Coast Road should be straight ahead now.
All right, we got one light. We got a light. That’s crazy.
>> Passing the ghost road in >> three, two.
>> Come on. Come on.
>> And one.
>> I am passing the ghost road and staying on the highway.
>> There it goes.
There it goes. Holy. It matches exactly.
And it looks really strange. like it looks like a ghost light.
>> This confirms that many ghost light sightings can be attributed to headlights in the distance, but even I’ll admit we’re far from explaining everything.
>> Jess, we got it. We got it.
>> No kidding. All right.
>> Okay, head back.
Hey, hold on. My camera’s getting >> Holy [ __ ] I just saw a freaking light.
>> Wait, what?
>> Phil, do you see that?
>> Right above the trees.
>> My god.
>> Wait, you just saw a light? I’m not seeing anything.
>> Whoa, whoa, whoa.
>> Phil, we just lost one of the cameras.
>> What? Are you kidding me? Phil, >> hold up. Hold up. Camera out.
>> Hurry up. Come over.
>> All right, I’m coming your way.
What just happened? Was it in front of you?
>> It’s so dark. I would say it was right kind of like right at the cusp of the tree line and then it just floated a little bit up and then over the canopy.
>> Frogs over here going nuts.
>> Everything’s going nuts.
>> Animals often send out alerts when threatened. The question is, what made everything in the swamp go crazy? And what made our camera shut down? One of the cameras went down right when you called me a walkie.
>> Are you serious? That’s insane.
>> Maybe it’s coincidence, maybe it’s not.
I don’t know.
>> People report that the ghost lights have rendered electronics and even automobiles completely useless. We may have demonstrated that some of the lights could be cars in the distance, but whatever I just saw overhead was definitely something else. Checking for any eye shine right now.
>> See anything?
>> Nothing.
>> So, you saw light float into the sky.
>> Mhm.
>> Now these frogs are going crazy out here.
>> Mhm. That’s really strange.
>> Do you really think you saw something weird tonight?
>> I really do think that I saw the Saratoga lights.
>> Well, I think I saw what people claimed to be the Saratoga lights and I got it on tape and it was you driving by earlier making that flash and disappearing.
>> Why don’t we just stay out here? You’ve got the camera. Let’s collect more evidence and maybe you’ll be able to catch on camera what I caught with my own eyes.
>> Okay, I’ll keep recording. Point the camera up.
>> I mean, point point the camera anywhere.
I mean, those things could pop up anywhere.
>> We continue our search on the ghost road into early morning, hoping the light that just saw makes another appearance.
>> Yeah, >> but no luck.
The only light we’ll be seeing is the sun when it breaks over the horizon.
Doing all we can, we get in our car and say goodbye to the ghost road.
>> I feel like we definitely proved that there is such a thing as Saratoga lights. We saw them.
>> I’m pretty excited that we’ve been able to debunk at least part of this story. That really intense glow that we caught down the road. Now we know exactly why that happened. Another light scene could be methane fireballs. Yeah, but there’s just so many accounts that don’t fit in with those explanations. And then officer Donnie himself said that it moved in such a distinct, thoughtful way.
>> What you saw out there definitely was not headlights. I’m just not willing to jump and say that they’re ghosts or anything crazy like that.
>> I mean, I don’t know why you always push back so hard on the possibility that it’s something paranormal could be at work here. I want to believe that what you saw is something paranormal, but until we have better evidence, I’m going to assume that there’s some natural explanation for it.
>> I want to believe, too. It was my favorite tagline from X Files. I had that poster.
>> Of course you did.
>> All right. I have something very cool to show you guys today.
>> We got movie day. Are we getting a sub?
>> No subs to your teacher. You’re stuck with me. But it is movie day. All right.
This is a very intriguing old film that was sent to me by a woman named Dana Holyfield from Louisiana. Wow.
Okay, so we’re out in the swamps now.
Get ready. Yes, we see like a hunting blind or a platform there. Okay, here we go. Keep an eye center of the frame in the back.
>> LOOK AT THAT.
>> LOOK AT THAT.
>> YEAH.
>> You see that?
>> That looks like Bigfoot, >> right? We see this large upright something walking right through the frame.
>> I mean, that legitimately looks like Bigfoot.
>> That’s what Dana thinks. This has really become a family mystery for her. This footage was shot by her grandfather, who spent his whole life trying to figure out exactly what that is.
We’re meeting with Dana Holyfield, whose grandfather captured purported video of the Honey Island swamp monster back in the 1970s.
>> Hi there. How are you?
>> Good.
>> Since then, Dana’s been on the front line of the monster hunt.
>> Your grandfather dedicated decades of his life to tracking this thing down.
>> Yes, he did.
>> Why do you think he did that?
>> I think when he first saw this thing face to face and got a good look at it, first of all, he said it scared the hell out of him and then finding the tracks in the same area, >> he just became very interested in finding out more about it.
>> So, what did this thing look like?
My grandfather said the thing he remembered most was the eyes. Big amber color eyes just looking at him.
The body was covered in long dingy hair.
My grandfather stood 6’4 and this thing was taller than he was. Big broad shoulders and long arms. And when it turned to run, it ran off on two feet.
>> What made you pick up your grandfather’s mantle? Did you have an experience at all? I’ve had some experiences out here.
I grew up in this swamp. There’s all kinds of wildlife being out here all the time. You hear things. Sometimes I’d hear this thing screaming out.
It’s just a a noise that makes you very eerie. This was the original, one of the originals that my grandfather made. And then we found those a couple years back.
>> Wow.
>> Look at these. Those are really clearcut good sets >> and really consistent that whatever this is, it seems like the same species with the three main claw toes and then this looks like a little declaw. Do you mind if I take a 3D scan?
>> Go ahead.
>> I’m using a LAR scanner to create 3D models of these plaster casts. We’ll have these digital replicas handy as we venture further into the swamp. It’s going to be a two-mile hike on foot to the location where MK had his encounter.
Remote wetlands like these are home to many dangerous animals. So, as we trek in, Jess and I are on high alert for any large predators in the area.
>> Right about there.
>> This is probably our best bet to set up camera traps. We got the water nearby so that we can pick up on anything that’s like coming down to the water’s edge.
>> This creature has eluded search parties for decades. So, first up, we’re going to set a perimeter of eight game cameras spaced 10 yards apart surrounding the coordinates of the sighting. Anything moving into or out of this area, we’ll catch it on film.
Okay, on to the next.
All right, here. This looks like a good spot.
Oh, >> Phil, you copy?
>> Yeah. What’s up, Jess?
>> I just found some prints right by the water’s edge.
>> I mean, I think this thing just ran by.
>> Anyway, Jess, >> right here. I just found some prints.
Look, look, look, look. Look at that.
>> This is the first ones I found.
>> And they do look fresh.
>> Do you have your LAR?
>> I have my LAR.
>> You want to scan them?
>> We should absolutely scan them.
>> It’s clear from these tracks that whatever made them is big and went inland. It must have just passed through here, close to where MK had his most recent sighting. If whatever made this track was walking inland, why don’t we go in there and try to draw it out?
>> Our plan is to use a game color to mimic animal sounds that will hopefully lure whatever this is into the open.
>> Yeah, that’s what deer sound like.
Okay. You getting anything out there?
>> Nothing yet. Let me check behind us. I just a little nervous.
>> All right. You ready for some howling?
>> Yeah.
>> It is eerie how much this sounds like coyotes.
That was a growl. I just heard an owl.
>> I didn’t press a button.
>> It’s that direction. Actually, >> I did hear that.
>> Got another hit.
This the same camera.
It’s just a lot of dust in the air.
Sounds like footsteps.
That sounds like somebody’s getting killed.
>> Those guys look terrified.
>> I mean, is something hunting them right now?
>> Those boys are 200 lb short. They’re running from something.
>> Something’s sneaking up behind us.
>> Oh, I mean, we got to go over there. Get the bear spray.
>> Got the spray.
Yeah, I’m not really feeling too terribly safe right now.
It’s just a bird. All right, let’s keep moving. Keep moving, though.
>> Here’s the camera right here.
Looking for any evidence of what was running back here. Those bores are running from something.
>> Yeah, they’re definitely pissed off.
>> Something’s definitely out here. I just don’t know what it is.
>> I got a hair.
>> You got a hair?
Let me see.
>> That looks like a hair falling. Cool to me.
>> Let me see what you got.
>> Oh, yeah.
First, I thought it was part of the plant, but you can see at the end there where it narrows.
>> Yeah. Oh, that does look like a follicle. Now, >> I would say 90% chance is going to be from those bores out here, >> but there’s a 10% chance it’s something else.
>> I’m willing to roll the dice on that.
>> Whatever was chasing the hogs seems to have disappeared as quickly as it arrived.
>> There’s a chance we got something.
>> But we recovered a hair which could shine a light on its true identity.
While we send the sample off to the lab, we leave our game cameras running all night in case there’s more activity in the area. As the sun sets, we’re making our way down the Pearl River, scouring the shoreline where Roy had his sighting, looking for any pops of color on the thermal cam.
>> Good clear.
>> Yeah.
>> All right, we’re recording.
>> How’s your visibility on that?
>> Visibility is pretty good, actually. I mean, I’m catching all the trees.
Everything’s showing up cold, though.
>> See what I’m talking about?
>> If there is a mammal out there, it would light up.
>> It would absolutely light up. Don’t forget, we got to be looking close to the ground cuz it hunkers down or up in the trees or if it stands up.
>> So, we got to be looking everywhere >> pretty much. Roy said that the swamp monster sounds like a mix between a bear and a lion. So, I created a file which blends those two growls, and I’m going to play it through the game caller. If there are any monsters in the area and they hear a call that resembles one of their own, maybe they’ll come investigate. You ready?
>> I’m ready. Give it a rip.
>> Okay, here we go.
>> That is a sound I would not want to hear if I were alone in these swamps.
Oh, look at that. Do you see that?
>> What is What is >> I don’t know. Right over there.
>> Shoot. I think we lost it. I feel like now’s the perfect time to fly the thermal drone so we can get a bird’s eye view of what’s happening around here.
Maybe something out close, but we’re not able to pick it up on shore. Maybe it’s, you know, just into the woods here.
>> All right, Jess, I’m up.
>> Okay.
>> Is the river right here?
>> Okay.
>> So, the river is a little bit warmer.
So, we’re looking for hot spots in this area.
>> So, what is the green? Just trees.
>> Yeah, that’s trees.
>> Can you fly over that area that I got that hit?
>> Heading in right now.
See if I can pick it up again.
>> Hang on, Jess. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Check this out.
>> Oh, right there. Yeah.
>> Oh, it’s moving.
>> Oh, yeah.
>> It’s a pretty big heat signature.
Look at the shape.
>> That looks like how a person would run from the top down.
>> It’s 3:00 a.m. There’s no way a person would be out here other than us. Now, it looks like it’s down on all fours. Look, it’s right under this tree.
Where is that? Where is that? Okay, I think >> over there.
>> Yeah, this is about 50 m in. Jess, you see the big tree in the back?
>> Yeah. I mean, I’m not picking up anything from here. So, I think we should dock and go in there.
>> Okay, Jess, you watch the shoreline. I’m going to bring this back.
>> Okay, got it. Landed. Done.
>> Got to be ready for anything.
Let’s go.
>> Watch your step here. Watch your step here.
>> Yeah, I see it.
>> Oh god, it smells terrible.
>> It smells so bad.
This way.
>> Yeah, I think it’s this way.
Oh, >> wait. Slow down.
>> Wow.
Okay. So, the last known location I had it, I was flying up ahead and it was right under here.
Hold it. Just >> Oh, look at those. We got >> This is a spine vertebrae.
>> What do you think that is?
>> Maybe a scapula.
>> Could the creature have eaten that?
They do look old.
>> I don’t think there’s any way we’re going to be able to catch up with that thing.
>> We had it.
>> We saw it on the thermal. It was right back there.
And we know it was here just minutes ago, but it was moving quick.
>> I’ve got a few hits on the fleer. You’ve got excellent drone footage. We’ve got that hair we can get analyzed.
>> And the camera traps are still up. and the camera traps are still up. So, I say we gather all that stuff together, get it analyzed, try to figure out what this is. Because to me, it all says there is something that people are definitely seeing out in this swamp that is the Honey Island swamp monster.
>> To me, the evidence doesn’t stack up to tell me that there’s anything more extraordinary than the known nature that is here. First, given the size and spread of its claw marks, Jess’s animal prints are likely from an alligator, not a 7-ft monster. And our trail cams captured mostly wandering raccoons along with some behemoth wild hogs. Whatever spooked those hogs might have been a formidable predator, but a black bear or coyote seem like the most realistic possibilities.
>> Sounds like she’s just getting killed.
>> But neither walk on two feet for long periods. And Harland’s film clearly depicts a bipeedal creature. After running a DNA analysis of the hair Phil recovered from the swamp, >> I got a hair.
>> The results came back 100% Sue Scroa, or for those who don’t speak Latin, wild hog.
>> Could the figure we caught lurking in the underbrush be the Honey Island swamp monster?
>> There. Yeah. Over a decade ago, I investigated reports of a monster in the swamps of Florida. And the the sights and the sounds and the smells of that expedition have stayed with me ever since.
>> Wait a second. Smells?
>> Yes. You forgot your deodorant again.
Nope. Wasn’t my smell. It was the smell of the creature I was looking for, known as the skunk ape. And for good reason.
>> I’ve heard of this. Kind of like a hairy, smelly bigfoot-like beast that lives in the swamps of Florida. Like a stinky swamp thing.
>> That’s exactly right. and we found really compelling evidence that something was living out in those swamps, but it was ultimately inconclusive. But I have kept tabs on the case in the years since, and now things are heating up. There has been a huge uptick in sightings of the skunk ape. And in fact, there have been hundreds of sightings of this creature that date back hundreds of years.
Stories of the skunk ape or SD caphacki go back centuries with the seol tribe telling of a foul smelling giant stalking the murky wetlands of modern-day Florida.
The first documented sighting comes in 1818 when a man-sized monkey reportedly pursues fishermen along the edge of the Everglades.
The 20th century brings more disturbing incidents, reports of slaughtered livestock, monstrous howls, even two police officers in 1974 confirming they cighted a 7ft monster and opened fire.
In the years since, hundreds of harrowing reports have been corroborated by photos and videos.
Two things are common throughout all these reports. The size, usually 7 feet tall with an estimated weight of more than 400 lb. And the smell, described as a revolting blend of skunk, wet dog, and rotten eggs.
This year has seen a record number of encounters. Now, a construction worker has reached out to me reporting his own terrifying facetobeast encounter.
Is the Florida skunk ape truly stinking up the Everglades?
>> We’re meeting with Frank Constantino and his son-in-law Chris Smith.
>> Hi, good to meet y’all.
>> These two construction workers claim to have had a recent runin with a skunk apeike creature while out fishing. I heard you had an encounter somewhere around here.
>> Yeah, it’s actually not too far away from here. I I could take you to the exact spot.
>> Are you going to take us in that?
Absolutely. I hope you brought your mud boots with you.
>> We’ll grab them, meet you on the boat.
>> Awesome.
>> Frank takes us on his airboat up the St.
John’s River into the gatorinfested waters of the Canaveral Marshes.
Do you guys mind going in there with us and showing us what direction it went?
>> I’d rather not. I’ll pick you up in the morning.
>> Good luck.
>> Okay, let’s go, Whiskey.
>> They’re crazy.
Phil will take whiskey to search the perimeter of the island while I head to the exact spot where Frank had his sighting. Let’s use that nose. See what we can find.
What?
I found something. I’m over by the shore.
Look at this. Oh, >> look at that. I mean, look at the size of this. So, it’s about 5t across, I would say. So, sizable something lying down here.
>> And Phil, smell this.
>> Right.
>> That’s ripe. I mean, it’s it’s skunkish. A little more musky.
>> Yeah.
>> Not not enjoyable.
>> No.
>> And that was just where >> it was just sitting right there. It almost looks like something hunkered down there for the night. So, I guess the question is where did this thing go?
That’s why we got Whiskey. Whisy’s handler instructed us that if we found a scent article, we should have Whiskey sniff it and then give the command.
Find. If a matching scent is nearby, Whiskey will jump into action and lead us to the source.
>> All right, we’re moving.
>> He is walking with purpose. He’s sniffing.
>> Oh, yeah.
I think he’s got something.
>> Oh my god.
>> Right here, Eller. Looks like a nest.
>> Good job, Whiskey.
>> Good boy.
>> Good boy.
>> Talking about nests. Bald eagles.
Actually, Florida has one of the largest concentrations of nesting bald eagles.
Bald eagles make the biggest bird nest in the entire world. Can be up to 10 feet, although they’re usually way up higher in a tree.
Don’t forget >> the smell.
>> Yeah, >> this does not smell like an eagle nest.
I think we got to get up into that tree and figure out who lives in this nest.
>> Let’s do it.
>> Okay, as the sun gets lower in the sky, Heather will spot for me as I climb to the nest and take a look around.
>> What are you seeing?
>> Oh my god.
>> What is it?
There’s a bunch of prawns laid flat. And right in the middle, we got fish scales, some bones, some wings.
All these prawns lay perfectly sideways here.
>> So laid with design.
>> Absolutely. Something laid these up here. Wow.
I’ve never seen anything like this.
So these are gar fish. The fish look completely eaten.
Bird looks completely eaten.
>> You see any hairs? Any evidence of anyone that lives there?
>> I’m looking close. I just don’t see any right now. This clearly gets used by something. And I think that’s something.
It’s probably big and it smells. So, this is our area. I think this should be the center of our investigation tonight.
>> Gosh, that is a bright full moon. You know what they say about skunk apes on a full moon?
>> What?
>> That’s when they’re at their stinkiest.
>> Oh lord.
>> Wait till you get a sniff of what I got.
Ready for this?
>> I’m not sure.
>> So, can you hold my jars of leaking? What is this?
>> We have skunk. We have var glands. And we have bear scent marks.
>> Are you trying to out skunk the skunk cake though?
>> 100%. That’s what I’m trying to do. So, my plan involves this. It is a laserg guided slingshot.
>> Laser guided.
>> It was the only one they had at this store.
>> Each of these wooden balls in here, >> yeah, >> have been soaking for about 48 hours.
>> I’m using the slingshot to launch animal scented objects in multiple directions.
Different reactions can be triggered in primates by presenting them with different scents, particularly if the scent arrives suddenly, like this slingshot will ensure.
>> I want to see what’s coming towards us.
So, let me get my flare out.
>> Okay.
>> Got that for me. Thank you.
>> We recording. Okay.
>> Time to get out these stinky wooden balls. I’m going to start with bear.
Get up close. Come on. Feel >> a little.
It is not pleasant.
>> I’m guessing bear scent will trigger an aggressive behavior in apes. Let’s see what response we get here. Looks like we got some good distance right there.
Bear scent ready to launch.
Okay, there’s one.
Now we got skunk.
If what we’re tracking marks its territory with a scent similar to skunk, I’m hoping launching this skunk smell will trigger a territorial response.
Stink bomb away.
>> Nice.
Okay.
>> And finally, wild boar.
Uh the idea here is bore could serve two purposes. One could be prey item and two bore eat about everything. So definitely could be some competition. I’m going to shoot this in a slightly different direction.
>> Okay, >> give each one it space.
Let’s hunker down and just see what comes.
>> Nothing on the camera yet.
Let’s give it a second.
Oh, that was a big branch falling down.
You shot a ball in that direction.
That was really loud. Where are you going to get on the fire?
Get right over there. To left to left.
Oh my god.
Look up. Look up. Look up. Look up.
Can you see it up in the trees up there?
It’s always a little bit lower.
There again. That sounds like a knock.
Like it’s just someone just banging a stick against something.
>> My gosh.
There’s definitely big moving and happening about 100 150 ft in front of us.
>> I can’t see anything past 40 ft on this.
It’s so thick and heavy this brush.
>> Yeah. Okay, let’s hunker down and just see what comes.
>> Nothing on the camera yet.
>> Let’s give it a second.
That was a big branch falling down.
You shot a ball in that direction.
That was really right over there to left to left.
Here we go.
Look up. Look up. Look up. Look up.
Can you see it up in the trees up there?
It’s always a little bit lower there again. That sounds like a knock.
Like it’s just someone just banging a stick against something. My gosh.
There’s definitely big moving happening about 100 150 ft in front of us.
>> I can’t see anything past 40 ft on this.
It’s so thick and heavy. this brush.
>> Yeah.
>> I think you need to put the thermal drone up in the air.
>> Okay. I get it out.
>> Okay.
You hold that.
Looks like we have a little break in the canopy right here. So, you want to stand underneath that?
>> Yeah.
>> Ready?
>> Yeah.
>> In three, two, one.
At least we know that we’re lighting up.
>> Yeah, we’re definitely showing up on there.
>> I’m going to push the direction of what we just heard.
That just looks like treetops.
>> You don’t see anything.
>> Swing back around a little bit.
Let’s keep pushing.
So, what is that?
Is that >> another hot spot right there?
>> It’s moving. It’s moving.
>> Oh my god.
It’s going quick.
>> I’m right behind you.
>> Still going. It’s still going. It’s moving fast. Keep >> going. Keep going. Okay, we’re getting close. We’re getting close.
I’m going to keep the drone following.
>> Stop right here. Stop right here.
Hang on.
I’m not seeing it right now. It was right over here.
I don’t get it. It just disappeared.
>> Yeah, it’s gone.
That thing was moving.
>> It was moving.
I cannot find it. We don’t know where it is, but we know where it’s been. We can backtrack along this path the exact same way that it came and we can try to find evidence of it.
>> Should we spread out a little bit?
>> I think that’s our best chance.
>> Why don’t you start on that side of its trail? Move slowly. I’m going to find a place to land this drone, but let’s stay within shouting distance.
It’s going to be tough to find any traces of it.
Getting this feeling where it could be right above us at any moment.
>> What is that?
>> Look at those ferns lying on the ground like that.
Bill, come here.
>> You got something?
>> I think I’ve got a nest. up in a tree.
>> No, on the ground.
>> This?
>> Yeah.
>> Whoa.
Okay. Okay.
I mean, look at this indent right here.
Something has spent a lot of time on the ground.
My first instinct is I got to wonder, could this just be a hunter’s blind?
They would be really well camouflaged. I almost walked right by this thing. I mean, in the path we took, we are in the middle of nowhere. Think about what we did to get out of here.
>> Wait, wait, wait.
>> Oh, >> that is awesome.
>> That is ripe.
>> That just came on all of a sudden. What does that mean?
>> I don’t know what that means.
It smells just like the other tree nest.
That was not a nice smell. I’m going to get some photos of this thing.
>> Oh, Heather.
>> Oh, what do you have?
>> I found hairs.
>> No.
>> Yes.
Look at this right Oh, holy.
It’s like that damn thing is booby trapped.
It really did just fall right when you picked that up.
>> Okay. But at least we got the hairs.
Okay. I’m going to bag these actually.
Can you come here? Can you help me?
>> Yeah.
>> Hold this.
Okay. Bag right here.
That is so weird.
Okay. Well, figure out what this was. Whether it was a person or something else, my team braved the Florida Everglades investigating the potent legend of the skunk ape.
We sent the hairs Phil gathered for DNA analysis. And while it wasn’t an ideal sample, they said it was most likely a match for human. Phil counts that as a win, but Heather argues that this doesn’t necessarily rule out the skunk ape because human and ape DNA match by a staggering 98.8%.
This wasn’t the only intriguing evidence my team uncovered.
>> I think he’s got something.
>> Images of the so-called nest discovered by our four-legged friend Whiskey were analyzed by wildlife experts.
>> This is crazy.
>> They confirmed it was not constructed by a large bird. And just like our expert from the Naples Zoo indicated, fascinatingly it does appear similar to nests constructed by large primates.
>> That does look like something a great ape could do.
>> However, analysis of the video of the supposed crypted crossing the swamp alongside Heather’s expert reenactment was inconclusive.
>> All right, guys. I’m going to pitch y’all a story from my home state of Arkansas.
>> Oh boy, Heather’s about to go full southern on us.
>> Let’s hear it.
>> I definitely am, but I’m fixing to show you something real good. Take a look.
Hold on to your grits, Phil. Here we go.
>> Okay. Someone walking across the road.
>> Oh, that looks like a Bigfoot. What is that? There’s no way this is real.
>> Oh, it’s real, Phil. It’s a real cult classic. This is a ‘ 70s movie called The Legend of Boggy Creek, right?
>> That’s it. It was set in Fal, Arkansas.
But it’s not just a movie. It’s real witnesses reenacting their own encounters with a monster that they say is still there today. And I just got a call about recent sightings from the mayor of FAL, Arkansas. Wait, the mayor of this town called you personally?
>> He sure did.
>> He’s a big deal in Arkansas. Small population.
>> Look, and this creature is a big deal. I have been hearing stories about this fal monster for a long time. And the movie may have made the beast famous, but its legend goes way back before movies were even invented.
>> The beauty of small towns like Fal is easy access. Conveniently, City Hall happens to be a 2-minute walk from the local Monster Mart. Hey, Phil and Heather.
>> Nice to finally meet you, Mayor Pervis.
>> It’s good to see you.
>> Great to meet you, Mayor.
>> Mayor Terry Pervvis has fielded calls about the Fal monster for years, but now he says reports of sightings are surging.
>> As mayor of Fal, do you believe that the Fal is actually out there?
>> There’s no doubt in my mind. I’ve got several close friends. They’ve had sightings. I’ve known these people for 30, 40 years. Their stories never changed. It wasn’t made up.
>> We just saw the Monster Mart. It seems like the Falcon Monsters kind of big business around here. Does the town benefit from the lower staying alive?
>> Sure does. It’s economic development.
It’s tourism. But look, people are scared. We’ve had incidents where this thing has killed livestock.
>> There’s a lot of people won’t even go out at night now. And we’ve actually had people move away from here because they’re scared. Wow. So myth, legend or not, the people who live here, there there’s something that they’re afraid of.
>> Yeah. You live in a small town. We know everybody. They come up here to the city hall. They they’ve had sightings. You could tell by the anxiety in them. They seen something.
>> I want to show you something that was sent to me. And the person that sent this to me, they want to remain anonymous. But they made this recording out in the woods. I want to see what you think.
What is that?
>> I don’t know. We hunt, we fish, we’re constantly out in the woods down here.
I’ve never heard anything like that in my life.
>> I mean, it it could be a fox. Could be a bobcat.
>> I wasn’t no fox or bobcat, dude. I’m country. That’s no fox. I just want to make sure my residents here are safe.
What’s going on out there? That’s what we got you here for.
I know it’s loud out here, but I still think our game call would be effective.
>> All right, I got the recording the mayor gave us. Maybe if we call out something will call back. It’s >> okay.
>> Ready?
>> Yeah.
And now we listen.
>> Swear I just saw something move over there.
>> Where? Where?
>> Back there.
>> Yeah.
right here. Look at this.
>> What? What >> is that? Trail of the game trail right here. See that? So, it’s flattened. It’s flattened. Flattened.
That there is broken bent grass right here. So, this is a game trail. leading that way.
Well, let’s see what we just move over there. Let’s go.
Right. Just moving.
Come on.
>> Right behind you.
What the is that?
Holy.
There are bones everywhere.
I mean, that looks like deer, wild hog.
Look at this.
>> Holy.
We’re in a feeding ground.
>> We’re in a feeding ground. Let me be clear.
>> Okay, enough.
>> I don’t see anything.
This could be the thath monster feeding ground. These are not small kills.
You have to be strong to take down a wild hog.
>> That I can agree with.
We wash our back on the fleer. Going to get some images and document what we just found. Okay, let’s hustle.
>> After discovering a potential feeding ground for a large animal, we decide to regroup.
>> I want to welcome everybody out here today and thank you so much for coming.
We’re going to prove to the world once and for all the Falcon monster is out there. We got a great investigating team here. Heather Amaro from Little Rock, Arkansas is here with us. A hometown girl right here amongst us.
>> And we also got Bill.
>> There you go. There you go.
>> I got my one. Thank you.
>> All right, folks. Heather here wants to say a few words.
>> Now, I’m from Arkansas, born and raised.
>> We know why we’re the natural state.
Yeah, >> we respect the land, the people, and the animals, even the unknown ones.
>> Thank you.
>> Today, we turn those doubters into believers. Are you with me?
>> Let’s go find this falcon thing.
>> We’ll be splitting the search into three groups. Heather and I will be leading parties on the sides of the river, working our way towards the swamps.
>> One whistle. We found something. Two whistles that’ll come from one of us means keep moving the line.
>> We equip each group with a set of wonkies and each searcher with a whistle. Meanwhile, Mayor Pervvis will take a team by boat up river to a bank that has had a slew of recent sightings.
>> It’s go time.
>> Okay, >> we want to try to move as uniform as possible.
>> Guys ready to go?
>> We’re ready when you are. All right, stand by for whistle. Okay, you all ready?
>> Here we go.
>> All right, guys. That’s two whistles.
Let’s go.
>> Slow and steady.
>> We ready to pop.
Just going to come over here.
You got something?
Oh yeah, look at this. So, what am I looking at? Muscles.
>> Muscle shell.
>> Interesting. It’s unusual to find muscles this far inland. We have got a food source, which Doyle says he regularly sees when he is searching for the falcon monster. We’re heading in the right direction.
Look at that.
I’ve been looking for you, too. Amazing.
They’re out here. You know what not to step on.
Okay, I’ll let you go back down. Hope you find some good dinner tonight.
So, let’s try to cut straight across here.
As our search teams push deeper into the swampland, more and more evidence begins to appear.
>> What you got?
>> Looks like hair to me.
Let’s see. Oh, that is thick hair.
I’m going to collect some of these hairs.
Wow.
First hair sample. This could be good.
Let’s keep walking.
We’ve had a lot of sightings in this area.
What is that? Oh, yeah. I see it. Oh, look at that.
We got evidence.
Fill it. Heather, >> we got a suspected print.
>> You found a good print?
>> Yes, we did.
>> Maybe where he was going to jump over this brush here. You can tell he came down with his toes. Can you take some pictures?
>> We did.
>> Thanks, Mayor.
>> We’ve got a lot of activity right here around the swamp. It is getting darker.
There’s a lot of snakes out and uh honestly just don’t want anyone getting hurt by whatever’s out here.
We’re going to send the town’s people home. Heather and I going to do our job.
>> That’s it.
Let’s make our way back.
>> Hey guys, >> how was everything on the boat?
>> Oh, you ain’t going to believe this. I want you to look at this picture.
>> Holy moly.
>> The definition of the three toes.
>> Are three toes typical for a suspected fal monster print?
>> No. This is not a full print. It’s like he was running the front part of his foot like he was vaultting.
>> It seems like it was sprinting. Exactly.
>> It looks fresh, too.
>> Where was this?
>> Just right up the So River here. We went in about 45 yards. Like he was chasing dinner.
>> He was heading inland.
>> Yes.
>> Thank you for getting everybody who came out tonight. We got some amazing evidence.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> Thank you so much, Mayor.
>> Thank you to the town of Fal. Y’all are the best.
>> Thank you so much.
>> So cool.
>> As we lay out the evidence found by all three groups, an interesting pattern emerges. Our hairs, prints, and possible food sources in addition to the boneyard Heather and I stumbled upon last night were all located on edges of swampland deep behind the treeine. So, for tonight’s investigation, Heather and I will target an area of swampland centrally located between the four major evidence sites in hopes of tracking down the Fal once and for all.
If you’re the fal monster, can you show yourself?
Are you an animal?
Are you a spirit?
What’s that?
I just heard a noise over there.
Oh, that was a knock.
Is there anyone there?
I heard that you can show yourself to people who believe.
>> Heather, >> something just splashed in the water.
Let’s go.
Let’s go.
>> I said let me know you’re here. And a big ass splash happened over there.
>> You know we’re here.
>> Yes.
Do >> you know what’s crazy is I got on the flare. Huge huge heat signature. As I got closer to it, completely gone.
That’s literally what they said that the foul monster potentially could do. That it could appear and disappear there in a second and gone.
>> What the is that?
Wait, wait, wait. What’s that?
>> What is that?
>> It’s really faint.
This is just like what I saw before. I think that’s about 100 meters back. That looks big.
>> Holy.
Where’d it go? What the Tim? It was here and it just appeared and that’s happened to me twice tonight.
Let’s go.
>> I’ve heard noises all around us.
>> It could still be out here. I feel like we have to keep pushing.
>> Phil and Heather continued their search of the swamp through the night, but didn’t manage to get eyes on the mythical fal monster.
But although they didn’t get eyes on it, stunningly, they may have gotten ears.
>> The strange screeching they heard continued through the night.
>> What? Yeah. Get over here. Over here.
Holy. Go. Where’d it go? Not again.
>> But whenever they got close to it, it always seemed to recede deeper into the swamp.
It was here.
Analyzing the audio, Heather discovered something remarkable. It seemingly matched the supposed Fal recording Mayor Pervvis played.
Whoa.
And even more curious, it didn’t seem to match the sound of any known animal.
Does the fabled fal monster stalk the town’s swamps? The community certainly believes it, and based on our evidence, it does seem something very unusual just may be creeping through the creek.