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Champ (Lake Champlain Monster)
Samuel de Champlain may have seen it first. The 1977 Mansi photograph shows something unexplained. Over 300 sightings documented. Protected by law in both Vermont and New York.
1609 - Present
Lake Champlain, Vermont/New York, USA
300+ witnesses
Champ is America’s most famous lake monster.
First Sighting
1609 possibly:
- Samuel de Champlain
- French explorer
- Described creature
- Or large fish
- Debate continues
The Mansi Photo
1977 image:
- Sandra Mansi
- Family photo
- Creature visible
- Analyzed extensively
- Never debunked
Sightings
Over 300 reported:
- Local residents
- Tourists
- Police officers
- All consistent
- Serpentine shape
Legal Protection
Unusual status:
- Vermont passed law
- New York followed
- Protected species
- Though unproven
- Symbolic gesture
Description
Witness accounts:
- 15-30 feet long
- Long neck
- Small head
- Dark colored
- Humped back
Investigation
Research continues:
- Sonar searches
- Video evidence
- Dennis Hall studies
- Echolocation recorded
- Inconclusive results