DNA hints the Loch Ness 'monster' might be giant eel

FILE- Scotland's 23-mile long Loch Ness, home of the elusive monster, Nessie, is seen, date unknown. In foreground is Urquhart Castle. (AP Photo)
NEW YORK (AP) - A scientist who collected DNA from Scotland's Loch Ness suggests the lake's fabled monster might be a giant eel.
Neil Gemmell from the University of Otago in New Zealand says the project found a surprisingly high amount of eel DNA in the water. He cautioned that it's not clear whether that indicates a gigantic eel or just a lot of little ones.
But he said at a news conference in Scotland on Thursday that the idea of a giant eel is at least plausible.
The DNA project found no evidence to support the notion that the monster is a long-necked ancient reptile called a plesiosaur.
Loch Ness is the largest and second deepest body of fresh water in the British Isles.