Loch Ness Monster Curious Museum Bookie Arrangement

The National History Museum will display the remains of the Loch Ness Monster (or "Nessie") on exchange for verifying its existence on behalf of bookmakers, the London Telegraph is reporting.  And this isn't some recent Internet marketing scheme either, as one might suspect.

Under the deal, formalised in 1987 (20 years ago) and revealed in archive documents released by the museum, William Hill pays the museum an annual fee on return for the guarantee its experts will provide "positive identification" of the elusive creature.

The agreement, which has netted the museum at least £22,000, also covers the Yeti.

William Hill itself doesn't think that the Loch Ness Monster will ever be fully verified apparently.  They were offering odds of 500/1 on its existence.   The Yeti stands a better chance at 200/1 odds.

The monster is believed to be one of the last surviving plesiosaur, carnivorous aquatic (mostly marine) reptile.

Popular interest and belief in the animal has fluctuated since it was brought to the world's attention in 1933. Evidence of its existence is anecdotal, with minimal and much disputed photographic material and sonar readings.

One of the most iconic images of Nessie is known as the 'Surgeon's Photograph', which many formerly considered to be good evidence of the monster. Its importance lies in the fact that it was the only photographic evidence of a "head and neck" - all the others are humps or disturbances.  The image was revealed as a hoax in 1994.

Alistair Prescott, Gambling911.com