An event that shook the scientific community: the legend of the "Congo Snake"—an enormous 15‑meter-long serpent reportedly sighted in 1959 in Katanga’s forests in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Belgian WWII pilot Colonel Remy van Lierde claimed he saw the creature during a helicopter flight over the region. The black‑and‑white photo he captured offered no solid evidence, yet the story captured public interest.
"Scary and unforgettable," van Lierde said in a 1980 TV interview. He claimed the snake was about 50 feet (≈15 m) long, with a head two feet wide and three feet long that could swallow an entire human. Despite local reports that the largest snakes in the area—African rock pythons—rarely exceed six meters, scientists remain skeptical.
According to biologists, concrete proof such as skeletal remains or clear video footage is required to confirm a 15‑meter serpent. Some experts argue that tales of the "Congo Snake" and similar African forest myths may be optical misinterpretations caused by observing large animals like elephants or rhinoceroses. With AI and photo‑manipulation technologies advancing, researchers warn of new, more sophisticated hoaxes tied to mythical creatures.