The good burghers of Loch Ness and its environs will doubtless be delighted to learn that the legendary monster on which the region's entire economy is based was probably nothing more than a circus elephant taking a dip.

That's according to palaeontologist Neil Clark of Glasgow University, who has spent the last two years working towards this stunning conclusion. The explanation? Well, Clark told the BBC that sightings of Nessie "could have been circus elephants, as fairs visiting Inverness would often stop on the banks of Loch Ness to give the animals a rest.

Clark did, however, concede that his elephant theory "would not explain some of the later sightings", adding: "I do believe there is something alive in Loch Ness." This is presumably to save him from a lynching by representatives of the Nessie Souvenir and Memorabilia Manufacturers' and Retailers' Association.

His findings are published this month in the Open University Geological Society journal. ®

Related stories

• NZ scientists identify giant, man-eating eagle (14 September 2009)
• Don't give booze to elephants, sobs Paris Hilton (13 November 2007)
• Drunken Indian elephants take on electricity pole (23 October 2007)
• Expedition to hunt Amazon 'yeti' (10 September 2007)
• RZSL Man stabs dog, giant pig hosed (4 June 2006)
• RZSL Lurking badgers, gay storks and German bears (27 May 2006)
• Boffins hop onto King Kong bandwagon (4 January 2006)
• Scientists snap monstrous squid (28 September 2005)
• Attack of the 13ft crabs (5 April 2001)