The Dinosaur Expedition Disintegrates?
Several weeks ago, the Newmac Expedition traveled to the Republic of Congo. Among other things, they sought to investigate the legendary mokele-mbembe, believed by some to be the last living dinosaur. But now, the expedition appears to have hit a major snag. Is this the end of the Newmac Expedition?
Dinosaur Skeleton
Photographer: Harris & Ewing (1913-1917)
Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
The Hunt for Mokele-mbembe?
The Newmac Expedition used Kickstarter to raise $28,925 from 750 backers in order to categorize “plant and animal species in the vastly unexplored Republic of the Congo.” They describe the Congo Basin as “a region of Central Africa larger than the state of Florida, more than 80% of which has been totally unexplored.”
Most of the publicity surrounding the Newmac Expedition has been centered on its interest in a strange creature known as mokele-mbembe. The mokele-mbembe, or “one who stops the flow of rivers,” is a mythological creature supposedly residing in the swamps of the Congo River Basin. Details vary but most descriptions refer to it as having a long neck, a long tail, and a relatively small head. Some cryptozoologists speculate it might be a sauropod…in other words, a dinosaur.
What’s New?
The Expedition launched on June 26. Three days later, it suffered a major blow when Joe Marrero “decided to completely withdraw from the Newmac Expedition.”
“I am disappointed on how the expedition was managed and found it necessary to severe my involvement in the expedition. I wish Stephen and Sam the best of luck on their adventure.” ~ Joe Marrero
The remaining members of the Expedition noted his departure over twitter.
“Joe Marrero has withdrawn from the expedition. We wish him the best on his future adventures.” ~ Newmac Expedition, July 10
As best as we can tell, the Newmac Expedition started out with five principals. According to their website, they are now down to three.
Guerrilla Explorer’s Take
Obviously, we don’t know the full story behind this situation. But the loss of a principal is no small matter. Unfortunately, this doesn’t bode well for the Newmac Expedition. This whole thing is starting to look exactly like what critics claimed it would be…a poorly-planned and perhaps ill-conceived operation. We’ll continue to follow this story as best we can but for now, the future of the Newmac Expedition appears to be in doubt.
Guerrilla Explorer’s Coverage of the Newmac Expedition
6/23/12: The Baltic Anomaly: What is the next “Anomaly”?
6/24/12: The Search for the Last Dinosaur?
6/25/12: The Newmac Expedition: What is the Mokele-Mbembe?
7/14/12: The Dinosaur Expedition Disintegrates?
7/19/12: The Dinosaur Expedition goes…Extinct?
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