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White River Monster
Something large lives in the White River. Eyewitnesses since 1915 describe a grey creature 20-30 feet long with a bony spine and three-toed tracks. Arkansas made it a protected species in 1973—the first cryptid with legal protection. Whitey still swims.
1915 - Present
Newport, Arkansas, USA
100+ witnesses
The White River Monster is legally protected.
First Sighting
1915:
- Plantation workers
- Near Newport
- Large grey creature
- Multiple witnesses
- News coverage
The Description
What’s seen:
- 20-30 feet long
- Grey colored
- Bony spine ridge
- Wide mouth
- Three-toed tracks
The 1971 Wave
Intense activity:
- Multiple sightings
- Media frenzy
- Hunters arrived
- Reward offered
- International news
Legal Protection
1973:
- Arkansas legislature
- Resolution passed
- Protected species
- First cryptid protected
- Fine for harming
The Theories
What it might be:
- Escaped elephant seal
- Large alligator gar
- Unknown species
- Prehistoric survivor
- Never determined
Today
Current status:
- Still reported
- Newport celebrates
- Protected status
- Tourism draw
- Mystery continues