The Giant Snake of the Congo – 1959 Aerial Encounter

In 1959, one of the most controversial and compelling “giant snake” encounters in cryptozoology was reported by Colonel Remy Van Lierde, a highly respected Belgian helicopter pilot. While flying a helicopter over the Katanga region of the Congo, Van Lierde claimed to have seen—and photographed—an enormous snake unlike anything known to science.

The Encounter

According to Van Lierde’s account, he was flying at low altitude when he noticed movement along a dirt road carved through the jungle. As he circled lower to investigate, a gigantic serpent rose up from the brush, appearing startled by the helicopter.

Van Lierde estimated:

Length: 40–50 feet
Body Thickness: Comparable to a large tree trunk
Head Size: Nearly 3 feet wide, 5 feet long
Coloration: Dark brownish-green with a lighter underside
Behavior: Aggressive—reportedly tried to strike upward at the helicopter

The giant snake allegedly reared its upper body several feet off the ground, something unusually large pythons or anacondas do not typically attempt.

The Photograph

A single blurry black-and-white photograph from the helicopter survives and is often shared in cryptozoology circles. In the photo, a very large snake can be seen stretched along the ground. Because of the aerial angle, foliage, and lack of reference points, size estimations vary wildly.

Skeptics argue it was an optical illusion—possibly a large African rock python photographed at a distance. Supporters believe the helicopter pilot, a decorated military officer, had no reason to exaggerate the encounter and was trained in estimating size from the air.

Could a 40–50 Foot Snake Exist?

Modern science recognizes:

Reticulated pythons: ~25–30 feet max
Green anacondas: ~20–29 feet
African rock pythons (local species): ~20 feet max

A truly 40+ foot snake would be one of the largest serpents to ever exist—more comparable to prehistoric giants like Titanoboa, known from fossil records to reach over 40 feet.

While there’s no confirmed evidence of such snakes in the Congo today, the region is dense, underexplored, and rich with wildlife mysteries.