Scientific Sighting Report: Mermaid Observation in the Secret Lagoon of Kuarato
Date: 12th January, 2025
Location: Secret Lagoon, Kuarato, East of Lake Taupo, New Zealand
Observer: Professor C. Weedy, Merologist
Journal Entry:
At precisely 06:42 hours this morning, my drone—deployed to survey the remote waters of the Secret Lagoon off Kuarato—captured movement most unusual beneath the crystalline surface. Upon reviewing the footage, I was astounded to discern the unmistakable forms of two mermaids, moving with remarkable synchronicity beneath the lagoon’s cold waters. Their graceful, undulating propulsion defied all prior knowledge of aquatic humanoids in this region.
The sighting compelled further investigation. To eliminate any possibility of misinterpretation, I installed a remote camera trap at a strategic vantage over the lagoon’s shallows. The camera, equipped with motion detection and thermal imaging, remained active for the following 24 hours. The evidence collected is irrefutable.
The footage reveals two distinct individuals, each bearing the unmistakable morphology of merfolk. Their tails, long and sinuous, shimmered beneath the dawn light, reflecting an iridescence likely evolved for cryptic camouflage in freshwater environments. Unlike the tropical varieties described in myth and occasional dubious sightings, these mermaids demonstrated adaptations suggesting a lineage suited for cold-water habitation. The water temperature, measured at a brisk 11°C, supports the hypothesis that these specimens are of Antarctic origin, possibly migratory in nature, now inhabiting the deep freshwater lakes of Aotearoa.
Particularly striking was their behavior. The mermaids performed a series of coordinated movements, indicative of purposeful training or specialized aquatic techniques. Their motions bore resemblance to those observed in cetacean pod communication—rolling, synchronized spirals, and a deliberate, rhythmic undulation that may serve as a form of interspecies signaling or thermoregulation.
From anatomical observations, their skin appeared smooth yet resistant to the cold, possibly possessing a subdermal insulating layer akin to marine mammals. Their physiology suggests evolutionary divergence from tropical mermaids, a subject warranting further study.
The documentation of this sighting—both photographic and video—has been archived for future comparative analysis. The discovery of these mermaids in an inland cold-water lagoon necessitates a reevaluation of their known distribution and migratory behaviors. I shall prepare a more detailed morphological analysis in due course, but for now, this sighting stands as an extraordinary testament to the hidden wonders of New Zealand’s waters.
Signed,
Professor C. Weedy
Merologist, New Zealand Academy of Aquatic Mysteries
