Memphre

Memphre is the name of the serpent-like creature(s) said to inhabit Lake Memphremagog, a large, long, deep lake like Loch Ness, Lake Okanagan, Lake Champlain, and countless other lakes in the same northern latitudes around the world where these mysterious animals can be found. Most of Lake Memphremagog is in Quebec, Canada, but the southernmost tip of the lake extends down into the U.S. State of Vermont.

While native Indians were long familiar with the Memphres, white settlers  found out about them soon after the first established colonies there in 1816. The creatures are very large, snake-like, have long necks, and are dark green or brown, in color. Unlike OGOPOGO in Lake Okanagan, the creatures in Memphremagog have not been reported to attack animals or swimmers or boaters on the lake. Memphre is considered to be friendly, and the International Dracontology Society was founded to promote knowledge of the monstrous denizens of Lake Memphremagog, and, focusing on their non-agression, to bring about official legislation to protect them.

On March 17, 1987, the Legislative Assembly of the State of Vermont ruled unanimously to recognize "the possible existence of the animal commonly known as Memphre," which it characterized as "an unidentified aquatic animal or animals described as long-necked, serpentine, or snake-like." The resolution observed that "the presence of these animals in Lake Memphremagog would constitute the only known instance of such animals holding dual citizenship."

The Society was also responsible for the signing of an unusual International Agreement by the mayors of the City of Magog, Quebec, and the City of Newport, Vermont. The mayors agreed that Memphre should be a "protected species", and should be studied by the "scientific community."

It is noteworthy that, from eyewitness descriptions, photographs, and movie film, Memphre's skin and crested back very much resemble alligators, although its size and length are incredibly large - 60 to 70 feet! Recent video footage taken in 1995 clearly shows a large, massive animal swishing around in the Lake, although details are not very clear, other than the darkness of its skin, and the flexibility of the animal to move around like that.