In 2001, the Scottish Natural Heritage drew up a plan of action if the Loch Ness Monster were ever to be found. The code-of-practice is in the news again due to a a recent big effort to collect skin and scale samples from Loch Ness and compare those DNA sequences against known animals. From the BBC News:
It stipulates that a DNA sample should be taken from any new creature, and then it should be released back into the loch…
Nick Halfhide, of SNH, an organisation that promotes Scottish wildlife and natural habitats, said the 17-year-old code of practice remained relevant today.
He said: “There was a lot of activity on the loch at the time about Nessie.
“So, partly serious and partly for a bit of fun, we drew up a contingency plan about how we would help Nessie if and when she was found.”
Mr Halfhide said: “Some of the lessons we learned then have been relevant when we have reintroduced species like sea eagles, and were used when, a couple of years ago, four new species were found in the sea off the west coast.”
Above, “The Surgeon’s Photograph” of 1934, known to be a hoax.