The Soviet scientist was up early that morning and was enjoying
the scene of idyllic tranquillity at isolated lake Khaiyr in
Yanski
area of Yakutsk. Looking around Mr. Gladkika was suddenly and
frightfully aware of a huge jet-black animal with a long neck
and small head
feeding on the grass around the lake. Scared out of his wits,
Gladkika ran like the blazes to alert the head of the expedition
to find
mineral deposits.
When they returned armed with rifles the monster had already
retreated back to the water and all that reminded to be seen
was its impression
in the grass. However, Gladkika found welcome relief from possible
ridicule when several days later the expedition chief and two of
his lieutenants saw the animal as it rose in the centre of the
lake. Just like Gladkika they noticed the same anomaly that distinguishes
the Lake Khaiyr creature from most other lake monsters - it possessed
a dorsal fin.
Being scientists, and needing some sort of explanation for what
it was that they had seen, the Russians posited that it was the
last
of the long-extinct species of aquatic reptile the icthyosaur.
Unfortunately from their own description of the animal it is readily
apparent that
they are confusing an icthyosaur with a plesiosaur. The Lake Khaiyr
remains unidentified to this day and because of its isolated location
is not frequently visited so further sightings have been dismally
few.