Umboi Island Eyewitnesses

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David Moke, of Opai Village, Umboi Island, was shocked at the bright flash of light that lit up the reef where he was fishing one night. Investigators believe that the light came from the giant bioluminescent pterosaur-like ropen.

For years, villagers of Umboi Island have seen the ropen light flying to or from the larger mountains, in particular Mount Bel. Some describe the light as lasting only about five seconds.

Gideon Koro related how he was terrified at the sight of the giant ropen that flew over Lake Pung (around 1994).

Three American explorers; Whitcomb, Guessman, and Woetzel; interviewed Jonah Jim regarding his ropen sighting. He saw not only the glow but the pterosaur shape and long tail.

Umboi Official Sees Ropen Light

Ropen Flies Over Lake Pung

Ropen Light Sighting by Woetzel

Leonard, of Opai Village, sees the glow of the ropen fly over his village once a month. Like David Woetzel’s sighting, it’s just a glow, no clear shape or feature is observed.