Kasai Rex: A Modern Day Dinosaur Hiding in the Congo?
The photo of the Kasai Rex taken by John Johnson. Image: Cryptid Wiki
Kasai Rex is a gigantic lizard creature that has been spotted several times in Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa. Some believe it may be a surviving species of dinosaur.
Kasai Rex Sightings
In 1932, renowned Swedish hunter John Johnson, embarked on an expedition to hunt a large elephant. Together with his faithful servant, Johnson departed from their camp in Capetown, venturing across a treacherous swamp and into the desolate Kasai valley's savanna.
To their surprise, the vast expanse appeared devoid of any wildlife, until a shout from a servant revealed the presence of two elephants in the distance. With his shotgun at the ready, Johnson prepared to take aim.
Suddenly, a strange creature, reptilian creature emerged from the bushes, causing the servant to dive into the foliage, while Johnson, overcome with shock recalibrated his aim and decided to shoot at this instead. Three shots were fired, yet only one found its mark, striking the creature's back. Momentarily startled, the creature retreated and vanished into the trees.
Johnson assisted his shaken servant to his feet, and the decision was made to return to their Capetown camp.
Midway through their return journey, a loud splashing sound echoed through the air, prompting thoughts of lurking crocodiles. Johnson's gaze swept the surroundings until, astonishingly, they spotted the same creature observed earlier on the savanna, now voraciously tearing into a rhinoceros hump. In a single bite, the creature effortlessly severed one of the rhinoceros' legs. Overwhelmed by fear, the servant fled in terror, while Johnson bravely held his ground, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Unfortunately Johnson’s servant had taken off with his shotgun. Undeterred, he instinctively reached for his camera, capturing an image of the creature just as it submerged into a nearby lake. Meanwhile, a pool of blood surrounded the lifeless body of the rhinoceros that had fallen victim to the creature's predatory assault.
Upon returning to his camp, Johnson, collapsed from the shock of the encounter. Concerned companions quickly rushed to his aid, assisting him to his feet. In an interview with the esteemed newspaper Rhodesia Herald, he vividly described the encounter, stating, "It had a reddish hue with dark stripes. Its elongated snout brimmed with numerous teeth." Convinced that the creature measured an astonishing 13 meters (43 feet) in length, Johnson likened its powerful legs to those of a lion, designed for remarkable agility and speed.
The extraordinary account gained widespread attention, prompting a group of five hunters, including a well-known ivory trafficker, to venture into the Kasai Valley at the outset of 1933. Their primary objective was to track down and capture the creature known as "Kasai Rex," as coined by the Rhodesia Herald, under the assumption that it was a colossal crocodile. The prospect of selling its valuable skin at a lucrative price served as motivation.
Traversing the same swamp that Johnson had navigated the previous year, the hunters braced themselves for the unknown. Tensions ran high as one of the members caught sight of a reddish tail vanishing into the depths of a lake, initially mistaking it for an anaconda. Their apprehension escalated when a tremendous wave of water crashed upon them from the left. Startled, they readied their weapons, only to be caught off guard as the reddish tail surged violently out of the marsh, striking one of the hunters, who was sent flying into the water.
Four of the remaining hunters unleashed a barrage of gunfire at the reddish mass that swiftly disappeared beneath the water's surface. The fallen hunter, nursing a broken arm, summoned the strength to rise and make his way towards his companions. Suddenly, a thunderous roar reverberated from beneath the water, compelling the hunters to flee.
Their escape route was impeded by the imposing presence of a colossal creature that emerged from the right side, while simultaneously remaining submerged on the left. Seeking refuge behind a sturdy rock formation, the hunters eventually decided to make a run for it and made their way back to camp safely.
Possible Explanations for Kasai Rex
Kasai Rex has long been associated with the theropod classification, particularly drawing parallels to the mighty tyrannosaurs. It is worth noting that no known tyrannosaurs species have ever inhabited Africa.
Instead, Africa was home to a similar theropod, potentially larger in size and overall structure, known as Carcharodontosaurus saharicus. This imposing predator reigned as one of the apex hunters during the Early Cretaceous period in Africa, engaging in fierce competition for resources and territory alongside formidable contenders such as Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, Baharisaurus ingens, and Deltadromeus.
Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, another prominent apex predator, prowled the northern regions of Africa, spanning from Egypt to Morocco. With a length ranging from 41 to 55 feet, this carnivorous giant targeted a diverse range of prey within its aquatic habitat, including large crocodylmorphs, massive fish like Lepidotes, and the formidable Onchopristis. On land, it hunted terrestrial creatures such as Iguanadontids, exemplified by species like Ouranosaurus, as well as subadult and juvenile sauropods.
Despite incomplete fossil discoveries, it is plausible that Spinosaurus aegyptiacus held the distinction of being the largest known theropod. Additionally, sightings of spinosaurid specimens like Spinosaurus, Sigilmassasaurus, or other related species have been implicated in accounts relating to the Nguma-monene and the Niger firespitter.
Spanning a length of 30 to 45 feet, Carcharodontosaurus saharicus, another fearsome carnivore, roamed both northern and southern regions of Africa. These creatures thrived in swampy habitats approximately 70 million years ago, where their diet likely consisted of notable herbivores such as Paralititan, Ouranosaurus, Aegyptosaurus, and, if necessary, the scavenging abelisaur Rugops. Both Carcharodontosaurus saharicus and Spinosaurus aegyptiacus inhabited these lush and treacherous environments, making their mark as dominant predators of their time.
Kasai Rex Hoax Photos
A popular hoaxed photo of the Kasai Rex
The original photograph, captured by Robert Henderson, which holds the potential to unveil the true identity of the Kasai Rex, actually showcases a monitor lizard, a finding that could potentially validate the existence of the creature as an unknown species of giant monitor lizard.
Notably, these reptiles have been known to assume a bipedal stance at times, bearing a striking resemblance to the reconstructions of Tyrannosaurus and other two-legged reptiles from the 1930s. Given their adept swimming abilities, encountering these creatures in a swamp environment aligns with their natural habitat.
Two other photos allegedly of the Kasai Rex have been proved to be deliberate hoaxes.
A popular hoaxed photo of the Kasai Rex
The first picture featuring a tyrannosaur-like creature feasting on a rhinoceros has been definitively debunked as a statue artfully placed atop the slain animal. Similarly, the monitor lizard-like creature depicted in the second photo is, in fact, an illustration cut out from a nature magazine, superimposed onto a rock claimed to be a rhinoceros.
Have you ever heard of any other encounters with the Kasai Rex? Tell us about it in the comments.
If you enjoyed this article you might be interested in other African cryptids such as the Grootslang or J’ba Fofi.
