The Mbielu-Mbielu-Mbielu is a cryptid that is said to live in the Likoula swamps of the Republic of the Congo. It is described as a large, long-necked dinosaur-like creature with a humped back and plates on its back, very similar in appearance to a Stegosaur dinosaur or the Mokele-Mbembe which is a similar cryptid found in the area.
| Cryptid Name: | Mbielu-Mbielu-Mbielu |
| Location: | Likouala swamps, Republic of the Congo |
| Category: | Reptilian Cryptid. |
| Description: | Large, long-necked animal with a humped back and plates on its back. |
| Size: | Up to 10 meters long. |
| Behavior/Characteristics: | Herbivore and peaceful. |
| Diet: | Plants. |
| Habitat/Environment: | Swamps and forests. |
| Evidence: | No concrete scientific evidence; anecdotal reports. |
| Sightings and Encounters: | First recorded sighting in 1909. Many other reports since then, but no concrete evidence has been found to support its existence. |
| Skepticism/Explanations: | A surviving dinosaur, new species of animal that has not yet been discovered, a hoax, or a misidentification of a known animal. |
Mbielu-Mbielu-Mbielu Description
Source: Tim Bertelink
The Mbielu-Mbielu-Mbielu is a big animal that is said to resemble a Stegosaur dinosaur. It is described as being semi-aquatic and eyewitnesses have described seeing it with most of its body submerged in water making it difficult for them to give concise descriptions of its appearance.
However, one thing that the witnesses do agree on is that the creature has dorsal plates running down its back – hence its name “Mbielu-Mbielu-Mbielu” which means “the animal with plates on its back” in the Lingala language.
While it is believed that the Mbielu-Mbielu-Mbielu is herbivorous this hasn’t been confirmed.
Mbielu-Mbielu-Mbielu Sightings
The Mbielu-Mbielu-Mbielu has been spotted by local villagers in the area for generations but it was only in the early 1980s that a biologist from the University of Chicago by the name of Dr. Roy Mackal, conducted two expeditions to the Congo basin to investigate the sightings.
During his research, Dr. Mackal spoke to an eyewitness by the name of Odette Gestonget from the village of Bounila. In an attempt to identify the creature, Dr. Mackal is said to have shown Odette books with different animal illustrations including dinosaurs. Without hesitation, she is said to have identified the Stegosaurus as the creature she saw. Other, independent eyewitnesses also described the creature as Odette did.
Theories and Explanations
Because the Mbielu-Mbielu-Mbielu is described as having plates on its back has led many cryptozoologists to suggest that it could be a small-sized Stegosaurus. Others have proposed that it might be an unknown crocodile species or another animal species that has not been discovered yet.
However, many debunk the crocodile theory because crocodiles are carnivorous whereas the Mbielu-Mbielu-Mbielu is described as herbivorous.
Likewise, the Stegosaurs theory also has questions surrounding it because Stegosaurs were not amphibous. Stegosaurs were land-dwelling dinosaurs with heavy bodies and small feet that weren’t well suited for the water. Although there has been some evidence found, such as fossils found in riverbeds, which shows that Stegosaurs may have spent time in the water there is no evidence that they could swim like crocodiles or hippopotamuses can. It is however speculated that they could have evolved aquatic traits over millions of years giving us the Mbielu-Mbielu-Mbielu which people see today.
