Agni (Sanskrit name meaning “fire”) is the newest hatchling
of a recently discovered species in Indonesia. He was given the name by
members of the initial research team because of his red wing coloring. While
local Zoologists (scientists who study and classify animals) are hesitant to
use the name “Dragon”, there is an unmistakable resemblance between
this new species and the mythical dragons of ancient lore.
Barely a week old, Agni can
expect to triple his current size within a month based on his current
growth rate. He currently feeds mainly on insects but will soon
graduate to small rodents and birds.
Adult specimens have
remained elusive, although clues of their existence have been spotted in the
local region where Agni was found. It is believed that the adults remain in
hibernation for most of the year, only emerging occasionally to hunt for food.
The first question
one is likely to ask is whether these creatures have the ability to
“breathe” fire like the dragons in movies and fairy tales. While no
concrete evidence of this is available, it is noted that the region of
protected forestland where Agni resides has an unusually high number of “scorch
plots” as seen below. A scorch plot is a portion of land, small or large, that
has been scorched or burned. Usually they are caused by lightning, but the more
frequent presence of these scorched areas in this region indicates another
cause.
The story of how this
discovery came about starts with the disappearance of about 15 cattle from a
ranch that had recently expanded its territory near a protected wildlife
habitat.
It was first
assumed that the disappearances were due to the activity of large cats
roaming out of the protected forestland to find food. But it soon became
evident that this was not the case when no feline tracks could be found
anywhere in the area.
In fact no tracks of any
kind could be found going in or out of the rancher’s territory that would
explain the loss of 15 cattle.
The missing cattle could
not have left by land. The only explanation left was that they were taken
by air. In the absence of a fleet of helicopters to cart them off, the
situation seemed an unsolvable mystery until wildlife researchers in the local
preserve came across a collection of cattle bones strewn across a walking path.
A scientific investigation
was undertaken to get to the bottom of this when the following was discovered
along with several other already hatched eggs:
Agni as well as several of
his siblings have been found and are undergoing observation by local scientists
in their natural habitat in order to gather more information about their
behavior and feeding habits.
The search continues for an
adult specimen, although with 2 researchers assigned to this project having
gone missing already, this appears to be more of a dangerous undertaking than
originally anticipated.
No other signs of the
missing cattle have been found nor any clues to the exact whereabouts of the
adult dragons, although researchers on the project appear determined to
continue until the mystery is solved once and for all.
Note:
To prevent the unlawful hunting or poaching of these animals and for the
protection of the researchers involved, names and specific locations have been
omitted.
Dragons. Are they real?
Have the mythical creatures of children’s stories been here all along, hiding
in the deep jungle under our very noses?
If so, why have they only
recently been discovered? Were dragons once abundant and thriving across the
globe, only to be hunted into near extinction as ancient tales tell us? If
so, why were they hunted? For sport? Or do these creatures represent a threat
to mankind?
Source:
http://the-auditorium.com/




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