Sasquatch Chronicles Blog

High in the misty mountains and jagged cliffs of Papua New Guinea, the local people speak in hushed tones about a creature that haunts the night skies. They call it the Ropen, a mysterious flying cryptid that glows in the dark, hunting silently over rivers and forests.

The Ropen is said to be large, with leathery wings stretching wider than a small boat, a long tail, and a slender, reptilian body. Its most striking feature is the bioluminescent glow along its tail and sometimes its body, which illuminates the night as it swoops low over the jungle, startling fish and small animals with its eerie light.

Scientists and cryptid hunters who have visited the remote island of Umboi have speculated that the Ropen could be a surviving pterosaur, a species of flying reptile thought to have gone extinct millions of years ago. Locals, however, tell a different story: the Ropen is a guardian of the forest, a creature of both fear and reverence, appearing to warn travelers or protect sacred areas.

The first widely reported sightings in the modern era describe glowing, bat-like wings gliding over the water, or streaks of orange light darting through the cliffs. Some witnesses claim the creature is larger than a human, yet moves with uncanny speed and silence, vanishing as suddenly as it appears.

No specimen has ever been captured, and evidence is limited to blurry photographs, eyewitness accounts, and the occasional unusual footprints. But for those who have seen it, the Ropen is unmistakable—a living ghost of prehistoric skies, gliding silently under the veil of night, a bridge between myth and reality in the wild, untamed heart of Papua New Guinea.

Duane Hodgkinson (1944)

In August 1944, during World War II, U.S. Army serviceman Duane Hodgkinson was stationed near Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea. While on a jungle trail with a companion, they came upon a clearing where they observed a large, winged creature. The creature took several steps before ascending at an angle and disappearing into the trees. It then returned, flying over the clearing and presenting a side view of its features. Hodgkinson described the creature as having a wingspan similar to that of his Piper Tri-Pacer airplane, approximately 29 feet. He noted its dark-gray coloration, long serpentine neck, beak, and distinctive head crest. The tail was estimated to be at least 10 to 15 feet long. Hodgkinson was so focused on the head crest that he did not notice details at the end of the tail.

After the encounter, Hodgkinson, a certified flight instructor with over 13,000 hours of flight experience, likened the creature’s wingspan to that of his Piper Tri-Pacer. He also noted the creature’s large size and distinctive features, which he described as resembling a “pterodactyl.” Years later, in 2005, investigator Garth Guessman interviewed Hodgkinson about the sighting. Hodgkinson reiterated his observations and provided additional details about the creature’s appearance.

Significance of the Sighting

Hodgkinson’s encounter is considered one of the most significant modern-day sightings of a creature resembling a pterosaur. The detailed description provided by Hodgkinson has been used by researchers to compare with other reported sightings of similar creatures, such as the Ropen of Umboi Island. While no physical evidence has been found to confirm the existence of such creatures, Hodgkinson’s account remains a key piece of cryptozoological research.

Ropen or Pterodactyl? American Eyewitness Talks

Jacob Kepas (2006–2007)

Jacob Kepas, a Baptist minister and native of Papua New Guinea, has been a significant figure in the investigation of the Ropen, a flying cryptid reported in the region. His involvement in Ropen research began in 2004 when he assisted American explorers Garth Guessman and David Woetzel during their expedition on Umboi Island. His dual understanding of native traditions and Western perspectives made him a valuable asset in these investigations.

Kepas’s first personal encounter with a creature resembling the Ropen occurred during his childhood near Wau, in the Salamaua district. At approximately twelve years old, he heard a noise from a flying creature, known in his village as “seklo-bali,” which translates to “creature that carries its bed.” He briefly observed the wings and tail of the creature and noted a glow emanating from it.
His second sighting took place in late 2006 near Tawa Village. Using binoculars, Kepas observed what he believed to be the head of a giant indava, partially covered by a wing, suggesting the creature was resting. The viewing angle was poor, but a local man named Joseph, upon climbing to a higher vantage point, confirmed it was the creature they sought. Unfortunately, their video recording failed to capture the sighting.

Kepas’s experiences have contributed to the ongoing research into the Ropen, providing firsthand accounts that support the existence of this enigmatic creature.

Paul Nation (2006–2007)

In late 2006, cryptozoologist Paul Nation embarked on a significant expedition into the remote jungles of Papua New Guinea to investigate reports of a mysterious flying creature known as the Ropen. During his journey, he ventured into the mountainous region near Tawa Village, where local inhabitants referred to the creature as “Indava.” The locals described the Indava as a large, glowing, nocturnal flyer, often associated with the Ropen.

On one of his nights in the area, Nation observed and videotaped two distinct, slowly pulsating lights on a ridge. These lights exhibited characteristics that set them apart from common sources such as campfires, vehicle headlights, or meteors. The footage was subsequently analyzed by a missile defense physicist, who confirmed that the lights were authentic and not the result of camera artifacts or manipulation. This analysis lent credibility to the idea that the lights were produced by a biological source, possibly the bioluminescent Ropen.

Nation’s findings were among the first to provide video evidence of the strange flying lights associated with the Ropen. His expeditions and subsequent documentation have been instrumental in bringing international attention to the creature and have spurred further investigations into its existence. Despite the compelling nature of the evidence, the Ropen remains a subject of debate among cryptozoologists and scientists, with no conclusive proof of its existence as of yet.

For more detailed accounts and updates on Paul Nation’s research, you can visit his dedicated site: IndavaBird.com

Garth Guessman (2005)

Garth Guessman, a Southern California firefighter and cryptozoologist, has been a prominent figure in the investigation of the Ropen, a flying cryptid reported in Papua New Guinea. In 2004, Guessman, along with fellow researcher David Woetzel, conducted an expedition to Umboi Island, a location known for numerous Ropen sightings.

During their time on Umboi Island, Guessman and Woetzel interviewed several native eyewitnesses who described encounters with large, bat-like creatures exhibiting bioluminescence. These interviews provided valuable insights into the local lore and consistent descriptions of the Ropen, suggesting the possibility of a living pterosaur in the region.

In addition to conducting interviews, Guessman and Woetzel explored various areas of the island, including the vicinity of Lake Pung, where a group of boys had previously reported seeing a Ropen-like creature. While they did not personally observe the creature during this expedition, the consistent testimonies from multiple witnesses added credibility to the reports.

Following the 2004 expedition, Guessman continued his research into the Ropen phenomenon, collaborating with other investigators and analyzing reports from both native and Western witnesses. His work has contributed to the ongoing discussion and exploration of the Ropen as a potential living cryptid. For those interested in learning more about Guessman’s research and the Ropen expeditions, his book “Searching for Ropens and Finding God” provides detailed accounts and analyses of the investigations.