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Beast of Busco
A giant snapping turtle—estimated 500 pounds—lived in an Indiana lake. Thousands came to catch it. National news covered the hunt. The lake was drained. They never found Oscar, but his legend made Churubusco the 'Turtle Town USA.'
1949
Churubusco, Indiana, USA
1000+ witnesses
The Beast of Busco captivated America.
The Sighting
1949:
- Fulk Lake
- Farmer Gale Harris
- Giant snapping turtle
- 500 pounds estimated
- Named “Oscar”
The Hunt
National attention:
- Media descended
- Thousands visited
- Traps set
- Divers sent
- Oscar eluded all
The Attempts
What was tried:
- Draining the lake
- Hired trappers
- Professional divers
- Nets and traps
- Nothing worked
The Evidence
What supported it:
- Multiple witnesses
- Large tracks
- Disturbances
- Credible observers
- Harris consistent
The Explanation
What it might be:
- Alligator snapping turtle
- Can reach 200+ lbs
- Escaped pet
- Natural giant
- Never captured to know
Today
Current status:
- Annual Turtle Days festival
- Town celebrates Oscar
- Statue erected
- “Turtle Town USA”
- Legend lives on